Gentian Muça

Gentian Muça
Personal information
Full name Gentian Muça
Date of birth (1987-05-13) 13 May 1987
Place of birth Tiranë, Albania
Height 1.86 m (6 ft 1 in)
Playing position Centre-back
Club information
Current team
 Tirana
Number 4
Youth career
–2006 Tirana
Senior career*
Years Team Apps† (Gls)†
2006 Bonner SC 0 (0)
2007 SC Vahr-Blockdiek 0 (0)
2008 Osterholz-Scharmbeck 9 (0)
2008–2011 Tirana 14 (0)
2008–2009 → Bylis Ballsh (loan) 28 (2)
2009–2010 → Dinamo Tirana (loan) 19 (3)
2011 Vllaznia Shkodër 13 (0)
2012 Flamurtari Vlorë 10 (1)
2012– Tirana 90 (12)
National team‡
2005 Albania U19 3 (1)
2006–2007 Albania U21 0 (0)
2009 Albania 0 (0)

* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only and correct as of 31 January 2016.
† Appearances (goals)

‡ National team caps and goals correct as of 21 August 2015

Gentian Muça (born 13 May 1987 in Tirana) is an Albanian footballer who plays for KF Tirana in the Albanian Superliga. A product of the KF Tirana academy, he spent much of his early career in the lower leagues of Germany before returning to Albania, and indeed KF Tirana in 2008. He has since had spells at Bylis Ballsh, Dinamo Tirana, Vllaznia Shkodër, Flamurtari Vlorë and Kukësi in Albania, but is now playing for KF Tirana once again.

Club career

Dinamo Tirana

Muça was transferred to Dinamo Tirana in loan during 2009–10 season. On 9 July 2009, he made his Europa League debut in the returning left of the first qualifying round against the Finnish club Lahti, playing full-90 minutes in a 2–0 home win at Qemal Stafa Stadium.[1] However, despite winning 2–0 at home, Dinamo was eliminated from the competition after losing the first match 4–1. Muça debuted in league on 23 August in the opening match against Kastrioti Krujë, helping his side with a goal in a eventual 3–1 win.[2] He scored in the 68th minute with a corner kick.[3] Until the end of the season, he would player a further 18 matches, with Dinamo who where crowned the Champions of Albania for the 18th time in histori. That was also Muça's first major trophy as a professional footballer.

Vllaznia Shkodër

Muça terminated his contract with Vllaznia Shkodër on 14 January 2012 after falling out of favour with the coach Rudi Vata.[4]

Flamurtari Vlorë

Muça joined Flamurtari Vlorë on a free transfer in January 2012, signing an initial 6-month contract with the option of a further one year.[5] He completed the remainder of the 2011–12 season, featuring in 10 league games. Muça left the club following the end of the season.[6]

Tirana

In July 2012 he began negotiating with his former club Tirana about a possible return to the capital. On 14 August 2012, Muça was transferred to Tirana after he left Flamurtari a month earlier.[6]

2012–13 season

Muça made his debut with Tirana on 6 October 2012 in week six of Albanian Superliga against his former club Flamurtari, playing in the last four minutes of the 1–1 draw.[7] He would play feature in another two minutes in a 1–0 away win over Vllaznia Shkodër on 10 November,[8] ending the first part of the season with only six minutes on the field.

In second part of the season, Muça would found more space to play, collecting 900 minutes on the field. He would play 10 consecutive matches as a starter, helping Tirana to finish the league in the fifth position with 43 points, thus failing to qualifying in the European competitions.[9]

2013–14 season

For the 2013–14 season, Muca forced further his place as the started, being in the center of defense along with former international player Endrit Vrapi. He played his first match of the season on 1 September 2013 in a goalless draw against KF Laçi, while scored his first goal of the season from a penalty kick two week later in a 1–0 home win against Lushnja.[10]

In the first part of the season, Tirana would experienced it's worst period of all time, closing it with just three wins in sixteen matches. In this matches, Muça appeared in ten of they in center of defence. Also during this period, Tirana changed three coaches, starting with Nevil Dede, Alpin Gallo and later Gugash Magani.[11][12] Until December, Tirana was placed in the last position with only 10 points in 13 matches, 7 poinst less than the eight place Flamurtari. However, with Magani in charge, Tirana changed completely the face by winning three of four matches of February, including the derby against Partizani Tirana thanks to the winner of Gilberto.[13] Muça played as a starter in all four matches.

He scored his second goal the season again with penalty on 30 April 2014, in a 3–2 away win against Kastrioti.[14] Tirana assured mathematically survival on 3 May 2014 in the penultimate week of the league after a 2–2 away draw against Flamurtari, in a match where Muça played 90 minutes.[15][16] He ended his second season with Tirana by playing 26 matches, 25 of them in league and 1 in cup.

2014–15 season

After the arrival of international player Ervin Bulku, Muça become the 3rd captain of the team, with the midfielder Karabeci who decided to handed his captaincy to Bulku as a sign of respect of the veteran, and became the vice-captain instead.[17]

Muça debuted in the new season on 24 August in the match of the first week against Apolonia Fier, playing full-90 minutes in a 3–0 home success.[18][19] On 18 October, in a 3–1 win over Kukësi in Qemal Stafa Stadium, Muça conceded a penalty in the 81st minute, by touching the ball with his hand, but the Croatian striker Pero Pejić missed it by hitting the cross-bar.[20]

On 29 October, he netted his first goal of the season in first match of the second part of the season against Apolonia Fier, helping the team to get a 0–3 away win at Loni Papuçiu Stadium.[21] In this match, he came on as a second-half substitute for the midfielder Meddie Kagere.[22] Muça scored his second goal of the season against Elbasani at the newly renovated Elbasan Arena, heading home an Elis Bakaj cross in the 27th minute, reducing the difference from 2–0 to 2–1, with Tirana who won the match in the 99th minute thanks to a late winner goal of Burundi international player Selemani Ndikumana.[23]

On 12 April 2015, in a home match against Vllaznia Shkodër, valid for the 30th week of the league, Muça scored his first career brace, helping the team to overcome the disadvantage of the first half and to won the game 2–1.[24] After the match, he dedicated the goals to the Tirana ultras, Geri Allkaj, who died in a car accident two days before.[25] He ended the season with 38 appearances in all competitions, including 32 in league, with Tirana who finished it in the fourth place and was eliminated in semi-finals of 2014–15 Albanian Cup against Laçi with the 1–0 aggregate.[26]

Loan to Kukësi

On 12 June 2015, Tirana and Kukësi reached an agreement for the loan of Muça at Kukësi for the club's Europa League matches.[27] However, on 29 June 2015, it was the president Safet Gjici confirmed that Muça with play with Kukësi for the entire 2015–16 season.[28] Later Muça flew out to Austria to link up with the rest of the squad where he made several appearances in friendly matches, showing a good form ahead of Europa League matches.[29][30][31]

Kukësi begun their European campaign in the first qualifying round where they meet the Belarusian side Torpedo-BelAZ Zhodino. On 2 July, in the first leg at Qemal Stafa Stadium, Muça was on starting linuep and assisted the goal of Jean Carioca in 9th minute, also helping Dmitri Stajila to keep his goal intact in a eventual 2–0 success.[32] In the returning leg, Muça producted another solid appearance as he helped the team to get a goalless draw and to progress in the next round with the aggregate 2–0.[33]

In the next round, Kukësi was shorted with Mladost Podgorica of Montenegrin First League. In the first leg, Muça was not able to avoid the 0–1 home defeat,[34] but in the returning leg, he had a crucial role as his team thrashed Mladost 4–2 at Podgorica City Stadium to qualifying in the next round with the aggregate.[35]

In the first leg of the third qualifying round at Qemal Stafa Stadium, Muça was on the starting lineup against Legia Warsaw; the match was abonded in 52th minute where the result was 1–2, after a Legia Warsaw player was hit in the head by an object thrown from the crowd. Following that incident, UEFA awarded Legia Warsaw with a 3–0 win.[36][37] In the second leg, Muça played again full-90 minutes as Kukësi where beaten again, this time 1–0 thanks to the lone goal of Kucharczyk.[38]

Following the end of club's European campaign, Muça decided to return at Tirana, saying that the fans where a strong reason of his return.[39] He dubbed his spell at Kukësi as "summer love".[40] His performances was praised by the Albania national team coach, Gianni De Biasi, who suggested the club president Safet Gjici to keep him for the entire season.[41]

2015–16 season

Muça (4#) in action during the ingaural match of Selman Stërmasi Stadium against Skënderbeu Korçë.

After the European campaign with Kukësi, Muça returned to Tirana.[42] On 24 August 2015, Muça made his 100th competitive appearance for Tirana in team's opening match of 2015–16 season against the newcomers of Tërbuni Pukë, helping the team to win the match 1–2.[43] He later scored his first goal of the season, heading home from an Elis Bakaj free kick in a 2–0 home win against Teuta Durrës, helping Tirana to return in winning ways after three matches.[44]

On 24 January 2016, in the 2015–16 Albanian Cup quarter-final first leg against Flamurtari Vlorë, Muça was yellow-carded during the first half meaning that he would miss the returning leg at Selman Stërmasi Stadium.[45] In the first league match of 2016 against Tërbuni Pukë, Muça sealed the victory by scoring the third goal of the match in a eventual 1–3 away win.[46]

International career

He earned a surprise call-up to the full national side in November 2009 by Josip Kuže for a friendly against Estonia.[47] However, knee ligament damage in April 2010 whilst at Dinamo Tirana meant that he was unable to play for Albania, as he underwent surgery on his knee in Austria at the start of May, keeping out of action for over four months.[48] On 17 February 2010, Muça played his first match with senior side, a friendly against Kosovo, where he played full-90 minutes in a 2–3 away win.[49][50]

Style of play

Muça can play in different positions, while his natyral position is Centre-back. He can adapt well as a left-back or Defensive midfielder.[51] In several matches during the 2014–15 season, he played as a defensive midfielder, switching the positions with the veteran midfielder Ervin Bulku, who formed a partnership in defence with fellow international player Debatik Curri. Muça is a strong player with a great heading ability. He his also a great penalty taker, scoring seveal times with Tirana. Muça is powerful in aerial duels, from which he scored five times in the 2014–15 season. During his time at Dinamo, he was used even as a center-midfielder by then coach Shkëlqim Muça. With the arrival of Ilir Daja, Muça begun to play as a central midfielder.

Career statistics

Club

As of 31 January 2016[52][53][54]
Club Season League Cup Continental[lower-alpha 1] Other[lower-alpha 2] Total
DivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
Osterholz 2007–08 Oberliga 90———90
Total 90———90
Bylis Ballsh 2008–09 Albanian Superliga 28240——322
Total 28240——322
Dinamo Tirana 2009–10 Albanian Superliga 1935110—254
Total 1935110—254
Tirana 2010–11 Albanian Superliga 140510000191
2011–11 ———1010
Total 140510010201
Vllaznia Shkodër 2011–12 Albanian Superliga 13030——160
Total 13030——160
Flamurtari Vlorë 2011–12 Albanian Superliga 10160——161
Total 10160——161
Tirana 2012–13 Albanian Superliga 120200000140
2013–14 25210——262
2014–15 33660——396
2015–16 19440——234
Total 8912130000010212
Kukësi[lower-alpha 3] 2015–16 Albanian Superliga ——60—60
Total ——60—60
Career total 182 18 36 2 7 0 1 0 226 20
  1. ↑ Including continental competitions, such as UEFA Champions League and UEFA Cup/Europa League
  2. ↑ Including other competitions, such as Albanian Supercup
  3. ↑ Only for the Europa League matches

International

As of 31 January 2016[55]
Albania national team
YearAppsGoals
200900
Total00

Honours

Club

Dinamo Tirana
Tirana

Individual

References

  1. ↑ KS Dinamo Tirana 2 – 0 FC Lahti UEFA, 12 June 2015
  2. ↑ Kastrioti Krujë vs. Dinamo Tirana 1–3 Soccerway, 12 June 2015
  3. ↑ Kastrioti 1-3 Dinamo DINAMOTIRANA, 12 June 2015
  4. ↑ "Muça lirohet nga Vllaznia, Tirana-Flamurtari e duan" (in Albanian). Sport Ekspres. 2012-01-14. Retrieved 2012-01-15.
  5. ↑ Feriz Ferizaj (20 January 2012). "Flamurtari largon Hysën, Cikalleshi huazohet te Tirana" (in Albanian). Panorama Sport. Retrieved 14 February 2016.
  6. 1 2 "Gentian Muça: Ika nga Flamurtari" (in Albanian). Panorama Sport. 8 July 2012. Retrieved 28 November 2014.
  7. ↑ Ermal Sika (7 October 2012). "Rubio në "paqe" me Tiranën" (in Albanian). Panorama Sport. Retrieved 7 October 2012.
  8. ↑ Admir Uruçi; Leonard Karaj (11 November 2012). "Duro: Vllazninë e kam nën kontroll, për mua vendos klubi" (in Albanian). Panorama Sport. Retrieved 28 November 2014.
  9. ↑ "Summary - Superliga - Albania- Results - fixtures, tables and news". Soccerway. 29 November 2014. Retrieved 29 November 2014.
  10. ↑ Adela Merko (16 September 2013). "Fitore qetësie për Tiranën, Lushnja akuzon. Trajneri Dede: Ky triumf na ktheu moralin". Panorama Sport. Retrieved 29 November 2014.
  11. ↑ "Gugash Magani emërohet trajner i Tiranës: Të vrasim frikën". Balkanweb.com. Retrieved 9 March 2014.
  12. ↑ "Magani zyrtarizohet në drejtimin e stolit bardheblu: Mbijetojmë, s’i trembem fundit". grid.al. Retrieved 9 March 2014.
  13. ↑ "Tirana fiton derbin, mjafton Gilberto". Sport Ekspres. Retrieved 8 February 2014.
  14. ↑ "Magani: Festë kur ta mbyllim matematikisht. Tirana nuk ndalet, bind edhe me Kastriotin". Panorama Sport. Retrieved 29 November 2014.
  15. ↑ Kora, Sotir (4 May 2014). "Tirona siguron mbijetesën". Super Sport. Retrieved 4 May 2014.
  16. ↑ Sika, Ermal (4 May 2014). "Barazim në Vlorë, mbijeton Tirana. Magani: Tani që ia dolëm, jam i gatshëm që të rinovoj". Panorama Sport. Retrieved 6 May 2014.
  17. ↑ Leonard Karaj (5 August 2014). "Karabeci lë shiritin, "gradohet" E.Bulku" (in Albanian). Panorama Sport. Retrieved 3 July 2015.
  18. ↑ "Tirana vs. Apolonia Fier 3 – 0". Soccerway. 24 August 2014. Retrieved 24 August 2015.
  19. ↑ Adela Merko (25 August 2014). ""Fluturon" Tirana, gola dhe spektakël ndaj Apolonisë. Magani: S’duhet të shpërdoronim" (in Albanian). Panorama Sport. Retrieved 25 August 2014.
  20. ↑ Adela Merko (20 October 2014). "Fitore me supergola, Tirana merr kreun" (in Albanian). Panorama Sport. Retrieved 27 October 2014.
  21. ↑ Mikel Mbriçaj (30 October 2014). ""Marsh" bardheblu, Tirana është super. Magani: Kjo ishte ndeshja jonë më e mirë" (in Albanian). Panorama Sport. Retrieved 31 October 2014.
  22. ↑ "Apolonia Fier vs. Tirana 0 – 3". Soccerway. 30 October 2014. Retrieved 31 October 2014.
  23. ↑ Vladimir Mema (24 November 2014). "Përmbysje e çmendur, Ndikumana… 99-ësh" (in Albanian). Panorama Sport. Retrieved 6 December 2015.
  24. ↑ "Tirana vs. Vllaznia Shkodër 2 – 1". Soccerway. 12 April 2015. Retrieved 13 April 2015.
  25. ↑ ""Heroi" i bardhebluve, Muça: Goli për Geri Allkajn!" (in Albanian). Sport Ekspres. 13 April 2015. Retrieved 13 April 2015.
  26. ↑ "Laçi mposht Tiranën dhe shkon në finalen e Kupës së Shqipërisë" (in Albanian). Gazeta Dita. 22 April 2015. Retrieved 23 April 2015.
  27. ↑ "Kukësi nis merkaton, vjen Gentian Muça për dy ndeshjet e Europës" (in Albanian). Panorama Sport. 12 June 2015. Retrieved 12 June 2015.
  28. ↑ "Kukësi do 300 mijë euro për Zeqirin. Muça driblon Tiranën, ka firmosur për gjithë sezonin" (in Albanian). Panorama Sport. 29 June 2015. Retrieved 29 June 2015.
  29. ↑ "Kukësi 5 miqësore në Austri, trajneri i ri pritet të jetë Bylbyl Sokoli" (in Albanian). Koha Jone. 15 June 2015. Retrieved 15 June 2015.
  30. ↑ Olsi Karagjozi (1 July 2015). "Kukësi mbyll turin e miqësoreve me barazim" (in Albanian). Super Sport Albania. Retrieved 3 July 2015.
  31. ↑ "Kukësi mbyll fazën përgatitore për kupat e Europës" (in Albanian). TV Klan. 30 June 2015. Retrieved 3 July 2015.
  32. ↑ "Kukësi një hap larg kualifikimit, mposht 2-0 Torpedon" (in Albanian). Super Sport Albania. 2 July 2015. Retrieved 3 July 2015.
  33. ↑ Andi Deçka (9 July 2015). "Kukësi avancon në raundin e dytë të E. League" (in Albanian). Super Sport Albania. Retrieved 9 July 2015.
  34. ↑ "Veniten ëndërrat e Kukësit, mposhtet 0-1 në shtëpi nga ekipi malazez" (in Albanian). LajmiFundit.al. 16 July 2015. Retrieved 16 July 2015.
  35. ↑ Eduard Ilnica (23 July 2015). "Kukësi përmbys në Podgoricë, kalon në turin e tretë" (in Albanian). Telesport.al. Retrieved 23 July 2015.
  36. ↑ "Kukës v Legia decision". UEFA. 4 August 2015. Retrieved 4 August 2015.
  37. ↑ "Europa League: Kukesi v Legia Warsaw abandoned after crowd trouble". The Guardian. 30 July 2015. Retrieved 30 July 2015.
  38. ↑ Elgita Ocka (6 August 2015). "E. League, eliminohet Kukësi, Legia fiton 1-0" (in Albanian). Super Sport Albania. Retrieved 6 August 2015.
  39. ↑ Adi Metaliu (11 August 2015). "Gentian Muca firmos me Tiranen" (in Albanian). Super Sport Albania. Retrieved 11 August 2015.
  40. ↑ Rinald Bregasi (17 July 2015). "Muça, Kukësi dhe dashuria e verës" (in Albanian). Super Sport Albania. Retrieved 17 July 2015.
  41. ↑ Ergis Tafalla (12 July 2015). "De Biasi për Gjicin: Mos e lër Muçën" (in Albanian). Telesport.al. Retrieved 12 July 2015.
  42. ↑ "Gentian Muça rikthehet tek Tirana" (in Albanian). Minuta90.com. 11 August 2015. Retrieved 6 September 2015.
  43. ↑ "Tirana i prish festën Tërbunit, bardheblutë fitojnë me përmbysje" (in Albanian). Panorama Sport. 25 August 2015. Retrieved 24 August 2015.
  44. ↑ "Tirana – Teuta 2–0" (in Albanian). KF Tirana. 26 September 2015. Retrieved 27 September 2015.
  45. ↑ "Gentjan Muça humb ndeshjen e kthimit në Kupë" (in Albanian). Panorama Sport. 26 January 2016. Retrieved 26 January 2016.
  46. ↑ "Tërbuni 1–3 Tirana" (in Albanian). KF Tirana. 26 September 2015. Retrieved 27 September 2015.
  47. ↑ "Gentian Muça, surpriza anti-Estoni" (in Albanian). Top Channel. 7 November 2011. Retrieved 18 July 2011.
  48. ↑ Enea Shtrepi (27 April 2010). "Gentian Muca drejt Austrise per tu operuar" (in Albanian). Albania Soccer. Retrieved 18 July 2011.
  49. ↑ "Kosovë 2-3 Shqipëri (B) (VIDEO)" (in Albanian). Lajme Sport. 17 February 2010. Retrieved 31 January 2016.
  50. ↑ "Kosovo vs. Albania". National Football Teams. 17 February 2010. Retrieved 31 January 2016.
  51. ↑ "Football : Gentjan Muça". Football DataBase. 26 August 2015. Retrieved 26 August 2015.
  52. ↑ "Albania - G. Muça - Profile with news, career statistics and history". Soccerway. Retrieved 30 October 2014.
  53. ↑ "Football : Gentian Muça". Football DataBase. Retrieved 30 October 2014.
  54. ↑ "Profile of Gentian Muça at footballzz.co.uk". footballzz.co.uk. Retrieved 30 October 2014.
  55. ↑ "Gentian Muça". National Football Teams. Retrieved 31 January 2016.
  56. ↑ "Tirana shade Dinamo in Albanian Cup final". UEFA.com. 22 May 2011. Retrieved 24 May 2011.
  57. ↑ "Tirana fiton Superkupen e Shqiperise me rezultat 1 – 0 kunder Skenderbeu". Sdsnews.wordpress.com. 18 August 2011. Retrieved 28 November 2014.

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