Venezia Forward Rahmani: No Family Relation to Napoli Defender Rahmani

Venezia forward Albion Rahmani said at a press conference that he has no family relation to Napoli defender Amir Rahmani, and also discussed his feelings and goals after joining Venezia.

Speaking about his first few weeks after joining Venezia, Albion Rahmani said: “I feel very good. We are a completely new team, many players are young, and everyone is working hard in training and matches to give their best performance. We will continue doing this and see what happens in the coming weeks.”

How well have you adapted to coach Stroppa’s style of play?

Albion Rahmani said: “We are newcomers to Serie A, but the coach allows us to play our own football. We were a little unlucky in the first few matches, but we have continued to stick to playing our own game.”

So far, Venezia have not fully shown their potential. The team starts matches well but drops off during games. Besides scoring goals, what is missing?

He said: “Yes, that is right. In the last few matches we played well in the first half, but as the coach said, we must make the most of our chances. That is football: maybe you play very well but do not score in the first half, and then in the second half one goal can change the direction of the match.”

This summer, there was discussion about you obtaining Albanian citizenship. Why did you want to have dual nationality?

Albion Rahmani said: “Having an Albanian passport is a good thing. Besides personal reasons, it also helps the club. I am very grateful to everyone who helped me complete this process in such a short time. The day I received citizenship was a beautiful day, and I recorded that moment with some photos.”

From the perspective of avoiding relegation, how important is the match against Frosinone?

He said: “This match is very important and is also our primary goal. Like every match, we must be fully focused and give 100 percent effort. We are playing well now, and we must also give our best performance against Frosinone.”

You are a forward who can play as a central striker or a second striker. Which position suits you better?

Albion Rahmani said: “I feel best as a number 9, but I will follow the team’s arrangements and play wherever the coach wants me to play. If I play as a number 9, I am closer to the goal; if I play deeper, I will still do my best to help the team at any time.”

What kind of understanding have you built with the other forwards in the team?

He said: “Everyone has their own characteristics, and the team is also very strong. We just need to continue playing as we are now and keep creating many chances. The next step is to turn those chances into goals.”

How do you think the training here differs from your time in the Czech Republic and at your previous clubs? From a technical, tactical, and defensive-duel perspective, what is your impression of Serie A?

Albion Rahmani said: “I also trained a lot when I was in the Czech Republic, and work is equally important here, both physically and tactically. Matches place a lot of emphasis on tactics and defensive running, and I am working hard to adapt to this league. It is slightly more difficult here because the teams I currently face have very good defensive movement, making it hard to find spaces to create danger. In the coming months, I will continue improving my technique and understanding this league better.”

Are you related to Napoli defender Amir Rahmani, who has the same surname?

He replied: “I play alongside him for the national team. He is also the captain and one of my best friends. We contact each other often, and I know he has worked very hard in Italy and is a very dedicated person. However, we are not related (laughs, editor’s note).”

You have an impressive record in your country, winning two championships with your team and becoming a top scorer. Later, you scored an average of one goal every two games for Rapid Bucharest and one goal every three games for Sparta Prague, and you came close to winning the league title. You have also played in the Champions League and Conference League, scored many goals, and performed well for the national team. What does coming to Italy and Venezia mean for you personally? What are your expectations and personal goals this season?

Albion Rahmani said: “My dream has always been to play in one of Europe’s top five leagues, so that is also why I decided to come here. Being able to come to Italy is an opportunity for me to show myself and my style of play. I will work hard to score goals and provide assists, helping Venezia achieve the team’s goals this season. Besides that, I will continue giving my maximum effort and continue my career as I have done in the past.”

Do you have any role models you admire?

He answered: “I grew up influenced by many stars and excellent players. However, the person I most want to mention is my father, who was also a player. When I was young, I trained with him a lot, and we always discussed football. If I had to choose a player from a top league, I would pick Cristiano Ronaldo. In my view, he is an example of discipline and hard work. Bringing these qualities into football can ultimately lead to achievements and victories.”