2021–22 Kategoria Superiore

Football league season
Kategoria Superiore
Season2021–22
Dates10 September 2021 – 26 May 2022
ChampionsTirana
26th title
RelegatedDinamo Tirana
Skënderbeu
Champions LeagueTirana
Europa Conference LeagueLaçi
Partizani
Vllaznia
Matches played180
Goals scored408 (2.27 per match)
Top goalscorerSaliou Guindo
Taulant Seferi
(19 goals each)
Biggest home winLaçi 5–0 Dinamo
(3 December 2021)
Partizani 5–0 Kukësi
(2 March 2022)
Biggest away winKastrioti 1–6 Kukësi
(4 December 2021)
Highest scoringVllaznia 6–3 Dinamo
(18 October 2021)
Longest winning run7 matches
Kastrioti
Longest unbeaten run11 matches
Laçi
Vllaznia
Longest winless run17 matches
Skënderbeu
Longest losing run7 matches
Dinamo
All statistics correct as of 26 May 2022.

The 2021–22 Kategoria Superiore was the 83rd official season, or 86th season of top-tier football in Albania (including three unofficial championships during World War II) and the 22nd season under the name Kategoria Superiore. The season began in 10 September 2021 and ended on 26 May 2022. Tirana won the league title on 7 May 2022, with 3 matches to spare.[1]

The winners of this season's Kategoria Superiore earned a place in the first qualifying round of the 2022–23 Champions League, with the second and third placed clubs earning a place in the first qualifying round of the 2022–23 Europa Conference League.

Teams

Two clubs have earned promotion from the Kategoria e Parë, Dinamo Tirana (promoted after a nine-year absence)[2] and Egnatia (promoted after a sixteen-year absence).[3] Apolonia (relegated after only one year in the top flight) and Bylis (relegated after two-years in the top flight) were relegated to Kategoria e Parë at the conclusion of last season.

Locations

class=notpageimage|
2021–22 Kategoria Superiore teams.
Team Home city Stadium Capacity 2020–21 season
Dinamo Tirana Tirana Arena Kombëtare 22,500 Runner-up (Kategoria e Parë)
Egnatia Rrogozhinë Arena Egnatia 4,000 Champion (Kategoria e Parë)
Kastrioti Krujë Kamëz Stadium[a] 5,500[a] 8th
Kukësi Kukës Kukës Arena 6,322 6th
Laçi Laç Laçi Stadium 2,300 4th
Partizani Tirana Arena Kombëtare 22,500 3rd
Skënderbeu Korçë Skënderbeu Stadium 12,343 7th
Teuta Durrës Niko Dovana Stadium 12,040 Champion
Tirana Tirana Selman Stërmasi Stadium 9,500 5th
Vllaznia Shkodër Loro Boriçi Stadium 16,000 2nd

Stadiums

Dinamo Tirana Egnatia Kastrioti Kukësi Laçi
Arena Kombëtare
UEFA stadium category
 Arena Egnatia Kamëz Stadium Kukës Arena
UEFA stadium category
 Laçi Stadium
Capacity: 22,500 Capacity: 4,000 Capacity: 5,500 Capacity: 6,322 Capacity: 2,300
Partizani Skënderbeu Teuta Tirana Vllaznia
Arena Kombëtare
UEFA stadium category
 Skënderbeu Stadium Niko Dovana Stadium Selman Stërmasi Stadium Loro Boriçi Stadium
UEFA stadium category
Capacity: 22,500 Capacity: 12,343 Capacity: 12,040 Capacity: 9,500 Capacity: 16,000

Personnel and kits

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

Team President Manager Captain Kit manufacturer Shirt sponsor
Dinamo Tirana Albania Ardian Bardhi Italy Rodolfo Vanoli North Macedonia Agim Ibraimi Claw Caffè Pascucci, Palma
Egnatia Albania Agim Demrozi North Macedonia Zekirija Ramadani Albania Gëzim Krasniqi Uhlsport −
Kastrioti Albania Petro Kumi Albania Emiliano Çela Albania Sokol Neziri Uhlsport Qafshtama
Kukësi Albania Safet Gjici Italy Diego Longo Kosovo Gjelbrim Taipi Joma Kevin Construction
Laçi Albania Pashk Laska Albania Shpëtim Duro Serbia Aleksandar Ignjatović Uhlsport Caffè Vergnano
Partizani Albania Gazmend Demi Albania Dritan Mehmeti Albania Alban Hoxha Joma Emi Trans
Skënderbeu Albania Ardian Takaj Albania Gentian Liçi Albania Vangjel Zguro Joma −
Teuta Albania Edmond Hasanbelliu Albania Renato Arapi Albania Emiljano Vila Macron Kastrati, Selita
Tirana Albania Refik Halili Albania Orges Shehi Albania Erion Hoxhallari Uhlsport −
Vllaznia Albania Alban Xhaferi Albania Mirel Josa Albania Erdenis Gurishta Suzmar Bavaria, Intersig

Managerial changes

Team Outgoing manager Manner of
departure 		Date of vacancy Position in table Incoming manager Date of
appointment
Kukësi Albania Mirel Josa Mutual consent 6 June 2021 Pre-season Italy Diego Longo 16 July 2021
Laçi Albania Shpëtim Duro Mutual consent 16 August 2021 Montenegro Dejan Vukićević 17 August 2021
Laçi Montenegro Dejan Vukićević Mutual consent 16 October 2021 10th Albania Sero Noka 19 October 2021
Laçi Albania Sero Noka End of caretaker spell 24 October 2021 7th Albania Mirel Josa 24 October 2021
Teuta Albania Edi Martini Resigned 26 November 2021 3rd Albania Renato Arapi 26 November 2021
Egnatia Albania Gugash Magani Sacked 29 November 2021 8th Albania Përparim Daiu 29 November 2021
Egnatia Albania Përparim Daiu End of caretaker spell 6 December 2021 8th North Macedonia Zekirija Ramadani 6 December 2021
Teuta Albania Renato Arapi End of caretaker spell 14 December 2021 5th Albania Edi Martini 14 December 2021
Kastrioti Albania Ramadan Ndreu Mutual consent 23 December 2021 10th Albania Emiliano Çela 23 December 2021
Partizani Albania Ilir Daja Mutual consent 28 December 2021 6th Albania Dritan Mehmeti 28 December 2021
Teuta Albania Edi Martini Mutual consent 24 January 2022 6th Albania Renato Arapi 24 January 2022
Dinamo Tirana Albania Bledi Shkëmbi Mutual consent 7 February 2022 7th Albania Bledar Devolli 7 February 2022
Skënderbeu Albania Migen Memelli Mutual consent 9 March 2022 10th Albania Skënder Gega 9 March 2022
Vllaznia Germany Thomas Brdarić Sacked 14 March 2022 4th Albania Elvis Plori 14 March 2022
Dinamo Tirana Albania Bledar Devolli Mutual consent 14 March 2022 9th Italy Rodolfo Vanoli 16 March 2022
Laçi Albania Mirel Josa Sacked 5 April 2022 2nd Albania Shpëtim Duro 7 April 2022
Skënderbeu Albania Skënder Gega Resigned 12 May 2022 10th Albania Gentian Liçi 12 May 2022
Vllaznia Albania Elvis Plori Mutual consent 15 May 2022 5th Albania Mirel Josa 15 May 2022

League table

Pos Team Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts Qualification or relegation
1 Tirana (C) 36 22 7 7 64 27 +37 73 Qualification for the Champions League first qualifying round
2 Laçi 36 18 9 9 52 33 +19 63 Qualification for the Europa Conference League first qualifying round
3 Partizani 36 15 13 8 52 30 +22 58
4 Kukësi 36 15 10 11 50 44 +6 55[a]
5 Vllaznia 36 13 16 7 47 38 +9 55[a] Qualification for the Europa Conference League second qualifying round[b]
6 Teuta 36 13 11 12 39 44 −5 50
7 Kastrioti 36 13 4 19 30 54 −24 43
8 Egnatia (O) 36 8 11 17 30 49 −19 35 Qualification for the relegation play-off
9 Dinamo Tirana (R) 36 6 11 19 21 46 −25 29 Relegation to the 2022–23 Kategoria e Parë
10 Skënderbeu (R) 36 4 14 18 23 43 −20 26
Source: Albanian Football Federation, Soccerway
Rules for classification: 1) Points; 2) Head-to-head points; 3) Head-to-head goal difference; 4) Head-to-head goals scored; 5) Goal difference; 6) Goals scored; 7) Draw.
(C) Champions; (O) Play-off winners; (R) Relegated
Notes:
  1. ^ a b Kukësi is ahead of Vllaznia on head-to-head goal difference: Kukësi 4, Vllaznia 3[clarification needed]
  2. ^ Vllaznia qualified for the Europa Conference League second qualifying round as the 2021–22 Albanian Cup winners.

Results

Clubs will play each other four times for a total of 36 matches each.

First half of season

Home \ Away DIN EGN KAS KUK LAÇ PAR SKË TEU TIR VLL
Dinamo — 1–1 1–0 0–1 1–1 1–1 0–0 0–1 0–1 0–0
Egnatia 1–1 — 2–1 1–3 0–2 0–3 1–1 0–1 0–2 1–1
Kastrioti 0–2 1–0 — 1–6 0–1 0–2 2–0 2–0 1–1 0–1
Kukësi 0–1 2–0 3–1 — 1–2 2–1 1–0 2–3 2–1 2–0
Laçi 5–0 0–1 2–0 2–2 — 1–0 2–0 2–0 1–0 3–5
Partizani 1–0 1–1 0–0 1–1 1–1 — 2–1 2–1 1–2 1–1
Skënderbeu 0–1 2–0 2–1 2–1 0–0 1–1 — 0–1 0–0 0–0
Teuta 0–0 1–2 1–1 0–0 2–4 1–0 2–2 — 2–3 1–1
Tirana 4–0 1–1 3–0 4–0 2–0 1–0 4–2 2–1 — 0–0
Vllaznia 6–3 1–1 3–1 1–1 1–0 1–0 2–0 1–1 0–2 —
Source: Albanian Football Federation
Legend: Blue = home team win; Yellow = draw; Red = away team win.

Second half of season

Home \ Away DIN EGN KAS KUK LAÇ PAR SKË TEU TIR VLL
Dinamo — 0–2 0–1 0–2 0–1 0–0 1–1 0–1 2–1 0–0
Egnatia 1–1 — 2–1 0–2 0–2 0–1 2–0 0–1 0–3 3–0
Kastrioti 2–0 2–1 — 1–0 1–1 1–0 1–0 0–1 2–1 1–3
Kukësi 2–1 1–1 4–0 — 0–0 1–2 1–0 1–1 0–0 0–0
Laçi 2–1 0–0 4–1 3–0 — 3–4 0–0 0–1 1–0 1–0
Partizani 3–1 2–2 4–0 5–0 2–1 — 0–0 3–1 1–2 1–1
Skënderbeu 0–1 0–1 2–0 1–1 1–2 1–2 — 0–0 0–4 2–2
Teuta 1–0 3–1 0–1 4–1 2–1 0–4 0–0 — 0–2 1–1
Tirana 1–0 2–0 0–1 2–3 4–1 0–0 3–2 1–1 — 3–1
Vllaznia 2–1 3–1 1–2 2–1 0–0 0–0 1–0 4–2 1–2 —
Source: Albanian Football Federation
Legend: Blue = home team win; Yellow = draw; Red = away team win.
For upcoming matches, an "a" indicates there is an article about the rivalry between the two participants.

Positions by round

The table lists the positions of teams after each week of matches.

Source: [1]

Relegation play-off

Egnatia2−0Korabi
Delarge 16'
Jackson 81' (pen.)
Referee: Eldorjan Hamiti

Both clubs remained in their respective leagues.

Season statistics

Scoring

Top scorers

Rank Player Club Goals[4]
1 Mali Saliou Guindo Laçi 19
Albania Taulant Seferi Tirana
3 Albania Redon Xhixha Tirana 14
4 Albania Liridon Latifi Vllaznia 12
Brazil Stênio Júnior Partizani
6 Croatia Ante Aralica Vllaznia 10
Croatia Edi Baša Kukësi
Brazil Pedro Egnatia
Albania Rubin Hebaj Teuta
Albania Tedi Cara Partizani
Albania Xhuliano Skuka Dinamo/Partizani

Discipline

Player

Awards

Annual awards

Award Winner Club
Manager of the Season Albania Orges Shehi Tirana
Player of the Season Albania Redon Xhixha Tirana
Young Player of the Season Albania Simon Simoni Dinamo Tirana
Team of the Year
Goalkeeper Kosovo Visar Bekaj (Tirana)
Defenders Albania Erdenis Gurishta (Vllaznia) Albania Eneo Bitri (Partizani) North Macedonia Filip Najdovski (Tirana) Albania Esin Hakaj (Vllaznia)
Midfielders Albania Arinaldo Rrapaj (Partizani) Republic of the Congo Chandrel Massanga (Partizani) Kosovo Mentor Mazrekaj (Laçi)
Forwards Albania Taulant Seferi (Tirana) Albania Xhuliano Skuka (Dinamo/Partizani) Albania Redon Xhixha (Tirana)

Source:[5]

See also

Notes and references

Notes

  1. ^
    Kastrioti plays their 2021–22 home games at the Kamëz Stadium in Kamëz, since their venue, Kastrioti Stadium, is not suitable for Kategoria Superiore matches.

References

  1. ^ Komiteti Ekzekutiv përcakton datat e nisjes së kampionateve për sezonit 2021–22 – FSHF
  2. ^ "VIDEO/ "Nëndetësja" kthehet në bazë! Dinamo ngjitet zyrtarisht në Kategorinë Superiore pas 9 vitesh" [VIDEO / "Submarine" returns to base! Dinamo officially climbs to the Superior Category after 9 years] (in Albanian). Panorama Sport. 10 May 2021. Retrieved 14 May 2021.
  3. ^ "Kategoria e Parë/ Egnatia matematikisht në Superiore, Tomori nxjerr nga gara Pogradecin (VIDEO)" [First Category / Egnatia mathematically in Superiore, Tomori removes Pogradec from the race (VIDEO)] (in Albanian). Panorama Sport. 2 May 2021. Retrieved 14 May 2021.
  4. ^ "2021–22 top scorers". Soccerway. Retrieved 27 September 2021.
  5. ^ "Më të mirët e sezonit! FSHF dhe RTSH shpallin kampionët e futbollit". 28 January 2023.

External links

  • Official website (in Albanian)
  • Kategoria Superiore at uefa.com
  • v
  • t
  • e
Top-level football seasons in Albania
National ChampionshipKategoria Superiore
  • v
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  • e
2021–22 in Albanian football
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