One in Cesena and one in Empoli, now they score from a distance. “Seasonal objective? To challenge ourselves in the final promotion to Serie A. We are attackers like dad”
From Pulici and Graziani onwards, we have seen many “goal twins”. The Shpendi are true twins, even when they score. Last weekend they scored on a penalty: on Saturday Stiven against Empoli, on Sunday Cristian against Cesena. Five goals each, at 22 years old, with his whole future ahead of him. Starting from Albania.
Christian: “Mother is from Tirana, father from the northern mountains. They didn’t see a certain future for them and they came to Italy.”
Stiven: “It was 1997, they went to Acqualagna to their grandfather. They lived in Calcinelli, where our sister Megan was born, and then in Lucrezia, near Fano. We were only born in Ancona”.
Your parents went wild over the names…
S “Cristian because his father is an Inter fan and supported Vieri. Stiven like Steven Seagal, the actor. And Megan like Megan Gale, the actress”.
S “He was a striker: he took us to football school saying that we had to play like this…”.
C “…But we loved it and it worked out well.”
Dad Alex is under Daspo for the attack on the pitch against the Olbia goalkeeper, who hit Cristian two years ago.
C “I was in the locker room taking care of myself and I didn’t see the scene.”
S “I was in Empoli, he called me immediately: he wanted to protect Cristian and he realized he had made a mistake. I reassured him, a few days later we scolded him a bit and he regretted it.”
National team: Albania or Italy?
S “There is doubt, we are 60% Albanian and 40% Italian. But we have never had to choose.”
C “I made my debut with Albania, I think it’s right to continue there.”
Your childhood idol?
S “Cristiano Ronaldo. Then, as Inter fans, we like Zanetti.”
C “Dad made us understand his ethics, his way of working.”
Andrea Pirlo was born on 19 May (but in 1979) like you: who is your ideal assist man?
C “Berti is in Cesena. As a child I assisted Stiven, but he is more selfish.”
S “Rightly so! Ilie has already given me two assists in Empoli: on the third I’ll give him a gift.”
Who is the strongest attacker?
S “Lautaro is complete, he scores goals, he fights and he gives everything on the pitch.”
C “I agree. In Europe instead I say Kane from Bayern.”
And between you two, who is the stronger?
C “Him, a little more. But I’m working to get him.”
S “Let’s go in moments: once one and once the other. But now we’re both fine.”
In 2023 you separated when Stiven left for Empoli.
S “I suffered more, he had his family at home and he was happy because I left him space, but he made good use of it. He has always been a point of reference for me, on and off the pitch.”
C “Yes, because I’m older: I was born… a minute earlier! (laughs) I missed it, we rely on the calendar to see each other now.”
At first sight you are identical: what differences do you find?
C “He is more reserved.”
Have you never exchanged?
S “Yes, at school, in the lockdown and afterwards with the masks… Cristian sometimes replaced me”.
C “We studied Accounting, but I did everything…”.
S “We are so equal that a girl can like us both! (laughs) But we are single.”
C “On the phone it happened that one spoke for the other…”.
Last season in Cesena-Carrarese you weren’t able to challenge each other: Stiven out in the first leg, Cristian out in the return leg.
S “I was still at Empoli, and he scored. On the return he was injured and I scored the goal.”
C “I’m expecting him on January 10th.”
Yes, that day there is Cesena-Empoli, the last first leg.
S “Let’s hope we’re there this time! I want to score, but I say it: I won’t celebrate out of respect for the fans.”
C “I want to beat him. And we will certainly play for something.”
Will you celebrate New Year’s Eve together to prepare for this challenge?
C “Of course, the provocations will begin there.”
S “No, they have already started…”.
Who takes penalties better?
C “When we played together it was always his turn to bat.”
S “But if I had already scored, I would let him beat it.” How much do you regret seeing A ignoring B on the market?
C “It’s difficult to get there in Serie A, you have to work a lot. It doesn’t matter, I’ll go there with Cesena.”
S “I will return with Empoli.”
Cesena is in the running for Serie A, Empoli is a bit behind.
C “B is very difficult. It would be nice to make the playoffs again, and how nice if they will be there too.”
S “Cesena is playing in Serie A, of course! I don’t just hope to find them in the playoffs, but in the final: there the family’s balance would be at risk…”.
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