2012–13 KF Tirana season

Tirana
2012–13 season
Chairman Lulzim Basha
Manager Nevil Dede
Ground Selman Stërmasi Stadium
Albanian Superliga 2012–13 Albanian Superliga#League table
Albanian Cup 2012–13 Albanian Cup#Second Round
Europa League Second qualifying round
Top goalscorer Mirel Cota (5)
Home colours
Away colours
2013–14 →

The 2012–13 season is Klubi i Futbollit Tirana's 74th competitive season, 74th consecutive season in the Albanian Superliga and 92nd year in existence as a football club. Following the title win four seasons ago, KF Tirana added to their 23 titles to make it their record 24th title win. KF Tirana played UEFA Europa League against CS Grevenmacher and Aalesunds FK.

2012

The club could get organized better for the current season, starting from Europa League participation. Even though having a healthy budget, club officials were too late to bring quality players on time, adding here the fact that they let go of main attacker, Bekim Balaj for a funny transfer sum to AC Sparta Prague despite Balaj still had six month of contract left. And lost few other players, however, they have the merit to keep team's core and also bringing some new arrivals, all for sake of achieving the title after three years drought. Tirana managed to pass only one round in Europa League, eliminating CS Grevenmacher of Luxembourg, before being knocked out from Norwegians of Aalesunds FK in the 2nd round. Tirana won again the Supercup (their jubilee 10th trophy), by beating on their 3rd final clash KF Skënderbeu Korçë. Despite due to extend his link with Tirana for the following two seasons and continuing the project, the successful Spanish coach, Rubio, did not sign that contract officially, due to some clauses on which himself and the club did not agree and eventually him and the club departed ways after over 13 months cooperation.[1] Artur Lekbello was appointed Tirana new coach, but despite his credits as a player in the past, he did not prove that successful as a coach and therefore presented his resignation to club administrator after only 42 days, following unpleasant results in Tirana's bench. Alban Tafaj once again took the vacant place as a temporary coach. The end of the year 2012 found KF Tirana in the 3rd spot of 2012-13 Albanian Superliga, 11 points adrift leaders KF Skënderbeu Korçë. Tirana were also eliminated early in the Cup. After passed KF Partizani at the first round winning both matches, 2-1 and 1-0 they were eliminated at second round from debut team, FK Kukësi losing first leg 0-4 and winning second one 3-2.

Background

Kit

Other information

President Lulzim Basha
Ground (capacity and dimensions) Selman Stërmasi stadium (12, 500 / 105m x 68m)

Source: Selman Stërmasi stadium

Coaching staff

As of November, 2012[2]
Position Name
Head coach Nevil Dede
Assistant coach Sokol Bulku
Goalkeeping coach Astrit Nallbani
Technical Director Alban Tafaj
Club Secretary Iva Mera
Athletic Coach Adrian Bekteshi
Physical Therapy Arzen Voci
OPS Arba Morina
Reporter Lorin Burba

Players

2012–13 squad

Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.

No. Position Player
1 Albania GK Ilion Lika (captain)
2 Albania DF Elvis Sina
3 Albania DF Erjon Dushku
4 Albania MF Gentian Muça
5 Albania DF Entonio Pashaj
6 Albania DF Renaldo Kalari
7 Albania DF Arjan Pisha
8 Albania MF Elton Muçollari
9 Albania MF Afrim Taku
10 Albania MF Mensur Limani
11 Albania MF Gilman Lika
No. Position Player
12 Albania MF Julian Ahmataj
13 Albania MF Erando Karabeci
14 Albania FW Mario Morina
16 Albania FW Mirel Cota
17 Albania MF Klodian Duro
18 Albania MF Nertil Ferraj
19 Albania MF Ardit Peposhi
20 Albania MF Gerald Tusha
21 Albania FW Arber Abilaliaj
24 Albania MF Gerald Tusha
25 Albania GK Xhino Sejdo
27 Albania MF Fabio Hoxha
30 Italy MF Francesco Pigoni

Foreign players

Reserves and academy

For the reserve and academy squads, see KF Tirana Reserves and Academy.

References

  1. Dreka e lamtumirës Rubio, drejtuesve: Do të iki të punoj te Reali i Madridit; Sport Ekspres, 29 August 2012 (Albanian)
  2. "KF Tirana staff". Soccerway.com. Retrieved November 12, 2012.