Numbers add up to trouble in Albania

KF Tirana and KS Vllaznia look like being KS Dinamo Tirana's main challengers this season in Albania, but the opening rounds have brought some odd and unwelcome statistics.

Worrying benchmark
The campaign kicked off with six ties played on 24 August, but after 45 minutes no goals had been scored in any of them – an unprecedented situation in Albanian football. Three of those opening games were to end in 0-0 draws, including champions Dinamo's opening tie at home against KS Teuta and the fixture between Vllaznia and Tirana. However, while goals were rare, red cards were not, the first two rounds have produced eight of them and set a worrying benchmark.

Uncertain backdrop
Dinamo warmed up for the new season with a 2-0 Super Cup win against cup holders Vllaznia, and are top of the table after two games, having beaten KS Shkumbini 3-1 at the weekend. Croatian Zlatko Dalić is in charge, but may not be too inclined to settle in given that he is the third coach Dinamo have had in the last three months. That uncertainty has been reflected in some unconvincing performances, but the return of Sebino Plaku from a loan spell with Norway's Ham-Kam Fotball has raised spirits with the striker scoring twice in the win against Shkumbini.

Sinani strikes
Vllaznia also have four points, and while they failed to score against SSC Napoli in the UEFA Cup, and also drew a blank in the Super Cup and against Tirana, last season's top scorer Vioresin Sinani returned from injury to get them off the mark in a 2-1 win against FK Partizani before setting up Paulin Dhembi for a goal against his old club. With that victory in the bank, Vllaznia have cause for optimism, though they lost Admir Teli, Xhevahir Sukaj and Gilman Lika over the summer.

Tirana refit
A sixth-placed finish last season was nowhere near acceptable for Tirana, and prompted major changes over the summer. The club's sponsors helped broker the returns of Rezart Dabulla and Abraham Alechuwu, while Ansi Agolli was loaned back from VPS Vaasa and Migen Memelli arrived from GAIS Göteborg. Albania defender Andi Lila was one of a number of other new signings for new coach Blaž Slisković along with Bledar Devolli, Arjan Sheta, Tefik Osmani and Gjergj Muzaka.

Coaching casualties
Tirana also have four points after two games, following a 1-0 win against KS Teuta, who have reappointed coach Sulejman Starova after a one-year absence. Other coaching newcomers include Dinamo's Dalić, Tirana's Slisković, KS Flamurtari's Slavo Kovačić and Mirel Josa at KS Elbasani. Faruk Sejdini has kept control at KS Bylis after winning them promotion last season, and Gugash Magani carried on at Shkumbini. The only Albanian side who still have the same coach they had at the end of 2006/07 are Partizani, with Hasan Lika.