When Albania were drawn in a Euro 2024 group alongside big-hitters Italy, Spain and Croatia, few expected them to have any chance of success.

But their manager, former Brazilian international Sylvinho, knows exactly how to prepare for tough opposition.

And although they lost 2-1 to Italy in the end, they have what few thought they would have at this stage in the tournament; a chance of making the knockout stages.

They face a dominant-looking Spain side on Monday 24 June at 8pm, live on talkSPORT 2, as they look for a win which would ensure their progression to the last 16.

Albania have only qualified for one European championship before this one, back in 2016 when they crashed out in the group stages, with the three points from a group stage win over Romania not being enough for them to progress.

And the man hailed as the secret to Albania's success so far is none other than former Manchester City, Barcelona and Arsenal star Sylvinho.

The former left-back made 65 Premier League appearances during his career, but spent his most successful spell with Barcelona where he won three La Liga titles, two Champions League trophies, two Supercopas and a Copa del Rey title.

The 50-year-old is already revered over in Albania, having ended their years of disappointment by guiding them through Euro 2024 qualification in a stylish campaign which saw them lose just once.

But Sylvinho is not done there.

Arsenal legend Emmanuel Petit insists Declan Rice is a 'victim' of Gareth Southgate's tactics for England He is insistent that the odds in Albania's difficult group do not change his task and that he is focused on finding ways around their on-paper disadvantage.

In an interview with The Guardian he admitted: "You have to find a way to reduce the distance between them and us," he says. "How? You have to work."

The former defender is no stranger to facing difficult sides, after all.

Sylvinho recalled that there was one former Premier League player that always gave him a lot to reckon with on the pitch while he was at Arsenal.

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And naturally, it was a rivalry that reared its head during the north London derby.

"Stephen Carr, Tottenham: strong, good guy, always difficult playing against him," he remembered. "So I'd start thinking: 'In a month we have this derby and I have to prepare really well, because on my flank they have a really strong player.'"

But the two-time Champions League winner is adamant that now, the focus is on his management skills - not on his exceptional playing past.

"What I did before is important for me as background and I can use it, but I can't come here and talk to the players on a different level," he said. "You don't just walk into the dressing room and say: 'Champions League.'

But the Brazilian has clearly still got it as he was spotted pulling off some nifty tricks in Germany!Credit: AFP "A small thing: in training early on, one of the players passed me the ball. 'Let's see how the coach kicks it then.' I picked it up with my hands, which is the first thing we're told not to do as a child.

"I may have good technique but there was a bigger message: 'Yes, I've done it, but now you have to do it because I can't any more. It's not my time, it's yours.' Maybe I was important as a player, but no longer. I've had to step back, work and educate myself."

Sylvinho is flanked by some more familiar names on his coaching team, with former Middlesbrough midfielder Doriva and ex-Man City defender Pablo Zabaleta as assistants.

As the second lowest-ranked team at Euro 2024, the expectations for Albania were low heading into this tournament.

But a good manager can do remarkable things for a team.

Because with low expectation also comes the opportunity to pull of some big shocks indeed.

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