Former Leeds United cult hero Gjanni Alioski says returning to UK soil for North Macedonia's Euro 2024 qualifier against England at Old Trafford will be a 'special moment' for him and his international teammates.
Alioski left Leeds in the summer of 2021 following the Whites' ninth-place Premier League finish under Marcelo Bielsa, turning the page on a four-year stint in West Yorkshire during which his infectious personality earned him a special place in the hearts of both supporters and his teammates.
A year-long stay at Saudi Arabian side Al-Ahli was followed by a move to Fenerbahce, with whom he won the Turkish Cup with this season. Alioski has remained a key part of the North Macedonia side and he will now be hoping to feature against the Three Lions and could come up against his former Leeds teammate Kalvin Phillips.
Speaking ahead of Monday night's Group C clash, the 31-year-old spoke about what the match will mean for him and his side.
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“This is a special moment for everyone, especially for the players who are in England for the first time and have seen matches on this ground from the Champions League and the Premier League," he told Macedonian Football.
"Everyone will enjoy it, and if we are mentally prepared and disciplined, we can do something here. We all know that it won’t be easy, that England is a big favorite, but we never lose hope and never give up. That’s why we came here, to play."
After their first two matches in Euro 2024 qualifying Alioski's side have beaten the Faroe Islands and lost to Ukraine, while England have a perfect record after three games, seeing off Italy, Ukraine and Malta so far.
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