San Marino vs. Albania – News and Probable Lineups

Following a rare victory in their UEFA Nations League C opener, Albania will head to Stadio Olimpico di Serravalle to take on San Marino on Tuesday.

The Red and Blacks are looking to capitalize on this chance to secure points, while La Serenissima aims to prevent another heavy defeat.

Match overview

San Marino entered the 2026-27 Nations League after suffering 14 losses in their last 15 matches, so their defeat in the first matchday was not unexpected.

Roberto Cevoli’s squad experienced a heavy 7-0 loss against Finland on Saturday, conceding three goals during the first half and four in the latter half.

To compound their troubles, La Serenissima had midfielder Alessandro Golinucci sent off in the second half, meaning they will be without their most seasoned player on Tuesday.

This defeat – the heaviest home loss for San Marino since November 2021 – has firmly positioned them at the bottom of League C’s Group One, and it would be a surprise if they managed to lift themselves off the bottom of the table.

Even though they are seen as the clear underdogs, the 211th-ranked Serenissima will hope to avoid conceding goals early this time, but having recorded just one clean sheet since September 2024, fans might be skeptical about the hosts’ chances.

Meanwhile, Albania came into this international break on the back of a dismal run of five consecutive losses, but their victory in the opener has lifted the team’s spirits.

The Red and Blacks secured a 2-0 victory over Belarus on Saturday, thanks to goals from Kristjan Asllani and Ernest Muci in the first half.

This triumph marked Albania’s first win since November 2025, when they narrowly defeated Andorra 1-0 while on a five-match winning streak.

Supporters are optimistic that Rolando Moran can instigate a turnaround this week, especially given that the team only managed to score one goal during their losing stretch, but found the back of the net twice over the weekend.

Moreover, facing one of the competition’s most troubled teams represents a golden opportunity to pick up all three points.

Team News

San Marino will miss midfielder Alessandro Golinucci due to his suspension following his red card against Finland on Saturday.

In his absence, Marcello Mularoni may step in alongside Cristian Meloni and Lorenzo Capicchioni in the midfield, just behind the playmaker, Samuele Zannoni.

On the other side, Albania could not summon attacking midfielder Qasim Laci as he recovers from a muscle injury, but Taulant Seferi, Kristjan Asllani, and Ylber Ramadani are expected to start in the midfield on Tuesday.

Rey Manaj is likely to spearhead the attack, supported by Ernest Muci and Arber Hoxha from the flanks.

At the back, centre-backs Ardian Ismajli and Berat Djimsiti will be aiming for a second consecutive clean sheet in midweek, with support from full-backs Elseid Hysaj and Stavros Pilios.

San Marino probable starting XI:

Columbus; Fabbri, Pasolini, Cevoli, Tosi; Capicchioni, Meloni, Mularoni; Zannoni; Giacopetti, Nanni

Albania probable starting XI:

Berisha; Hysaj, Ismajli, Djimsiti, Pilios; Seferi, Asllani, Ramadani; Muci, Manaj, Hoxha

San Marino will be eager to keep the scoreline as minimal as possible, but anything other than a defeat seems improbable.

Albania will be energized by their recent victory and will be aiming to secure maximum points again.