Kosovo will be aiming to claim their first win in Group I of Euro 2024 qualifying when they host Andorra on Tuesday.

The visitors, meanwhile, were defeated 2-0 at home to Romania at the weekend.

Match preview

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Indeed, having only become a fully-fledged recognised footballing nation by FIFA in 2016, Kosovo will sense a major opportunity to qualify for their first major tournament even at this early stage of their development.

Having been placed alongside Switzerland, Israel, Romania, Belarus and their forthcoming opponents Andorra in Group I, there is no reason whatsoever as to why Kosovo can not at least claim the second automatic qualification spot behind Switzerland in the group.

Alain Giresse's side claimed a creditable 1-1 draw away to Israel in Tel Aviv in their opening match, with Dor Peretz's second-half strike for the hosts cancelling out Eli Dasa's 36th-minute own goal.

Giresse will fully expect to back up their hard-earned point with a comfortable victory against Andorra, who will be widely expected to finish bottom of the group as the sixth lowest-ranked nation in Europe.

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However, having been ranked as low as 206th in the world as recently as 2011, the fact that Andorra are no longer regarded as complete whipping boys represents progress for a country containing fewer than 80,000 people within its borders as per an estimate conducted last year.

Indeed, Andorra have only been beaten by more than two goals in one of their last 12 matches, with their 2-0 defeat to Romania on Saturday coming as a major disappointment.

After Dennis Man and Denis Alibec had struck either side of half time, Marc Rebes's dismissal moments after the hour mark left Koldo Alvarez with almost no chance of mounting a comeback at Estadi Nacional.

Having avoided finishing bottom in each of their most recent two qualifying groups for major tournaments, Alvarez - who has overseen his home nation's development as manager since 2010 - will likely be targeting finishing above Belarus, with any points they can pick up against other teams in Group I potentially regarded as a bonus.

Team News

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Having seen his side avoid defeat in the Middle East in their opening match, Giresse may choose to make no alterations to his starting XI at Pristhina City Stadium on Tuesday.

However, the former France international will be expecting much more from his offensive players, with vice-captain Vedat Muriqi hoping to extend his goalscoring tally having bagged 23 goals in 45 caps for his country.

Andorra, meanwhile, will have to make at least one change to their starting line-up, with Rebes set to serve a one-match suspension after receiving two bookings against Romania.

Marc Pujol, who will celebrate his 41st birthday in August later this year, could come into the engine room to make his 107th cap for his country, while Marc Garcia provides an option to freshen things up in defence.

Kosovo possible starting lineup:
Muric; Vojvoda, Rrahmani, Kryeziu, Paqarada; Celina, Dresevic, Muslija; Zhegrova, Muriqi, Rashica

Andorra possible starting lineup:
Alvarez; Rubio, Llovera, Alavedra, Garcia; Palau, Vales, Pujol, Cervos; Vieira, Rosa

We say: Kosovo 2-0 Andorra

Andorra undoubtedly provide the majority of their opponents with a more disciplined task than they managed to in previous years, but they clearly lack individual quality to hurt teams on a regular basis.

With Romania simultaneously hosting Belarus, Kosovo will not want to lose further ground on one of their main rivals for the second automatic qualification spot in Group I, and we expect them to claim a relatively comfortable victory.


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Written by
Brett Curtis

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