2024-07-26 05:12:14
Speaking at the press conference after the match, Vladimir Cheburin singled out the preparation, the excellent first, but somewhat worse second half, thanked the fans and reviewed the upcoming meeting in the opponents’ fortress.
“Both we and the opponents analyzed each other based on the first match in the selection for the European tournaments. “Pafos” played against the Swedes, they analyzed how we played against the Finns. We have imagined how the team plays, but now we have tested everything in real conditions. We knew it was a very serious opponent. Maybe they were a bit unlucky, they didn’t play well enough in the first two qualifiers, but this is really a very serious opponent. We took this game and the opponent very seriously. We were really preparing what to do on the field”, said V. Čeburin.
“I can say that a lot of things worked because the players heard and understood what we wanted to say. However, it must be admitted that something did not work out. Especially in the second half, when we let them take the initiative a little bit. Two goals in the first half really set the mood for the second half, but that goal from nowhere… We will analyze, we will see, because the opponents really had much better and sharper situations.
Thanks a lot to the fans and fans, because they really created a great atmosphere. That energy from the stands, even at a certain moment when the players needed to add a little bit and put it in a higher gear, started the team and helped to take that step. We understand that the next match will be more difficult. The other field, their field, the climatic conditions are much more complicated and the local fans… Many things will be on their (opponents’) side, so our main task in this short time until the next match is to analyze everything and be ready”, added “Žalgiris” helmsman V .Cheburin.
Paying tribute to 35-year-old L. Antali, the “Žalgiris” strategist silenced those who spoke negatively about the Romanian before the season. Also, V. Čeburinas assured that the forward will definitely not be left empty-handed after such gifts to the club.
“Well, you didn’t believe, but we did,” V. Cheburin retorted to the critics without expecting anything. – Liviu is a true professional, a player who can benefit the team. Many said he was already a downed pilot. But no, it’s still flying and we got to see it today. The team has prepared a gift – Liviu’s daughter is coming on August 10.”
The preparation of the match was somewhat disturbed by the cards chosen by Pafos players in the previous selection round. Speaking about this, the head of “Žalgiris” the coach chose number 7 of the visiting team, which did not compete in attack, as is usual for representatives of this number, but in defense. The unexpected things did not end there, as the Kazakh also mentioned another unexpected change in the guests’ defense line.
“I was a little surprised by the choice of the right defender,” began V. Čeburin. – We guessed based on the players who were registered for this match, who should play where. Bruno’s performance in this position was a surprise, as we thought he would play somewhere in the attack. It was surprising that another midfielder arrived. Our plan was to play the number 4, but the number 6 (Pedro Pelagio) played out of position – also a bit of a surprise. We knew that other players would play, but we also knew that the philosophy of the team would remain the same. Admittedly, in the second half, when the opposing team changed their formation, we immediately we didn’t catch it, we didn’t understand. This should be noted, we should be a little more careful in such situations. We understood, but we didn’t have time to reorient ourselves.”
Evaluating the performance, the Žalgiris strategist said that he expected more goals from his students, but at the same time reminded the audience where the capital club plays. V. Čeburins also did not miss the opportunity to once again praise L. Antalios.
“We should have scored, we wanted to score more. However, we understand that in this tournament the opponents will not score as much as they want. The desire to score was there. Liviu is here (in Žalgiris), we are happy that he is here. I would like more such professionals. However, I can say that now we have such professionals in our team,” the man praised his players. trainer.
Next, V. Čeburin talked about the preparation for away matches, where, according to him, the most difficult task will not even be on the pitch.
“We will go to the sauna and get ready (laughs – ed.),” Vilnius club strategist continued the conference in a good mood. – We had to play in Cyprus, we know the conditions there, the heat. But nothing will change that, you will have to play in these conditions. In such a short time, you won’t be able to get used to even going to the sauna. That is why I mentioned that the climatic and natural conditions will be difficult, certainly difficult for both teams. But they are more used to it. This will be a plus for them.”
The next match of the second qualifying round of the UEFA European Conference League will take place at Paphos’ home in Limassol exactly one week later – next Thursday at 19:00.
In case of success, the Zalgiris team will meet the winner of CSKA 1938 Sofia (Bulgaria) and Podgorica Budočnust (Montenegro) in the next, penultimate UEFA European Conference League qualifying round.
2024-07-26 05:12:14