Finland are preparing to face group leaders Albania away in Tirana in a UEFA Nations League Group C1 match at the Air Albania Stadium on 12 November, a fixture that will be crucial for their promotion hopes and could also affect their chances of reaching EURO 2028.
Finland’s position in Group C1 and promotion battle
Finland currently sit third in UEFA Nations League Group C1 with two matches left to play. Albania are two points clear at the top of the group, while Finland are behind Belarus on goal difference. Under the competition format, the team finishing top of Group C1 is promoted automatically to League B, with the runner-up entering the promotion/relegation play-offs.
Finland’s chances of gaining promotion to League B have been seriously dented by two disappointing results against Belarus in the previous international window. Finland beat Albania 2-1 at home in October in a match where Albania were reduced to 10 men in the first half, but after that win they lost 1-0 to Belarus and failed to score in either of their two matches against Belarus.
Both Finland and Belarus are due to play Albania and San Marino in Group C1. These remaining fixtures will decide Finland’s Nations League promotion prospects and can also impact Finland’s chances of reaching UEFA EURO 2028.
Away setting and Air Albania Stadium atmosphere
Finland will have to deal with a lively atmosphere at the Air Albania Stadium in Tirana, where a sell-out is expected. Naatan Skytta believes his Finland teammates will relish the occasion of playing Albania away in a full stadium.
Naatan Skytta said: "It's always nice to play when there's a full house. Whether it's at home or away – of course it's even better at home. Maybe it adds a little extra spice to the game...Albania will definitely try to attack with high energy at the start and get the stadium behind them. You have to be ready for that and you have to be able to respond to that."
Attacking struggles and reliance on set pieces
Finland have only scored in open play against San Marino in Group C1 so far. Thanks to two Leo Walta free-kicks at home to Albania, Finland’s other goals in the group have come from set pieces rather than open play.
Much has been made of Finland’s disjointed attacking play in the matches following their home game against Albania. Finland’s failure to score in either of their two matches against Belarus has further highlighted their attacking difficulties.
Antman and Skytta return and set the tone
Oliver Antman missed the first four matches of Finland’s Nations League campaign due to family reasons. He is now back in the Finland squad for the two decisive Nations League games, and has asked for full commitment from his teammates ahead of the match against Albania.
Oliver Antman said: "We have to play boldly in attack and defence. Of course, we have our own game plan that we follow, but everyone has to give one hundred percent in every situation and boldly play their own game."
Naatan Skytta has been recalled to the Finland national team following injury, and he believes his teammates will relish the occasion of playing Albania away in a full stadium. Skytta wants Finland to focus on defending when they are without the ball.
Naatan Skytta said: "We came here to win and I strongly believe that we can do it. Let's just trust in our own efforts and go into the match with a positive and energetic mind. We go into the match with courage."
Naatan Skytta also said: "Of course I want to see goals and bold and enterprising attacking play, but when we are without the ball, everyone has to give it their all and focus on defending."
