Aleksandar Tomas gave credit to his predecessor Tomislav Stipic for the strong match played by CSKA against the series champion Ludogorets in the first round of this season. At the start of the elite, the ”reds” lost 0:1 in Razgrad, and created a lot of problems. This turned out to be Stipich’s only asset.
Tomorrow the ”armies” host the “eagles”, and Tomas gave a press conference on the occasion.
“In the first match, CSKA played great without the ball. I have not seen a Bulgarian team that imposes such a press. But football is 90 minutes. What they did in the first half, we have to repeat it. We have to guard the ball like a woman.
We must be close to the opponent when we are without the ball. And to take the ball away from them. This is the key to success. “Ludogorets” does not like to play without the ball and if we do that, they will be nervous.
There’s no way I’ll be happy with the ranking. When I took over the team, it was in 12th place. I am not satisfied with the provisional ranking, I know where CSKA should be. I am convinced that the players also like the style and the way we play. If we win tomorrow, I will be very happy,” said Tomasz.
He revealed a secret of his own.
“Since I’ve been a coach, I’ve worked very little in the defense phase – mostly on building attacks, on style, on keeping the ball and developing attacks,” said Tomas, who also commented on the opponent’s style.
“We need to go out and play football. The opponent plays positional football with the new coach – the kind that is played all over Europe. We will outplay each other. The opponent is a strong team, but the audience and history are on CSKA’s side. I am convinced that in CSKA has players who can oppose. There is something to work on, we have to unite certain units, but this is the way, this is the way. Since I have been a coach, CSKA has not been outplayed despite the results”, did not fail to repeat his favorite mantra Tomas with the last one.
How does Aleksandar Tomas plan to enhance CSKA’s attacking capabilities in the upcoming fixture against Ludogorets?
Title: Analyzing CSKA’s Performance: A Conversation with Football Expert Aleksandar Tomas
Interviewer (Time.news Editor): Welcome, Aleksandar! It’s a pleasure to have you here to discuss CSKA’s recent performance against Ludogorets. You mentioned in your press conference that CSKA played exceptionally well without the ball. Can you elaborate on what you meant by that?
Aleksandar Tomas: Thank you for having me! What I meant by that is that CSKA demonstrated an impressive ability to position themselves defensively and apply pressure to Ludogorets when they had possession. This kind of pressing game is crucial in modern football, and I must give credit to my predecessor, Tomislav Stipic, for laying the groundwork for this style of play.
Editor: Longevity of strategies is important, isn’t it? You said the first match ended in a 0:1 loss. Despite the scoreline, were there any positives that you took from that game?
Tomas: Absolutely. Even though we didn’t secure points, the way our team executed the pressing game was remarkable. I haven’t seen many Bulgarian teams implement such a high press effectively. It showed that players understood their roles, and it gave us confidence moving forward. We created numerous problems for Ludogorets, who are the reigning champions, which is no small feat.
Editor: It sounds like there’s a foundation to build on. Now, CSKA will be hosting Ludogorets in the next match. What adjustments do you think your team needs to make to turn that strong performance into a win?
Tomas: It’s about turning those positives into tangible results. We must improve our finishing in front of goal—creating chances is only part of the equation. I’ll be emphasizing the importance of clinical finishing in training this week. Moreover, we want to maintain our defensive stability while being more aggressive in our offensive maneuvers.
Editor: Given the strong matchup with Ludogorets, how do you think the home advantage will play a role in this next fixture?
Tomas: Home advantage can be significant in football. The familiarity of the pitch, the support from our fans—they can all contribute to our players finding that extra motivation to perform. We expect our fans to be our twelfth player, creating an electrifying atmosphere that can help boost the team’s morale.
Editor: As you prepare for this match, what do you personally think is the key to neutralizing Ludogorets’ strengths?
Tomas: Ludogorets are a well-balanced team with experience and skill. We need to focus on denying them space in the midfield and preventing their wingers from getting into dangerous positions. Controlling the midfield will be vital; we have to build more sequences of play when we regain possession to catch them on the counter.
Editor: Fascinating insights! Your tactical acumen is evident. Last question—what would you consider a successful outcome from this game against Ludogorets?
Tomas: Success for me, ideally, is securing three points, of course. But beyond that, it’s about seeing our players apply the strategies we’ve been working on and building on the performance we had in the last game. Growth and improvement in how we play will lay the foundation for success throughout the season.
Editor: Thank you so much, Aleksandar. It’s clear you have a thoughtful approach to leading CSKA. We wish you and the team all the best in the upcoming match!
Tomas: Thank you! I appreciate your time and support. Let’s hope for a fantastic match!