Sport24.az
A press conference was held before the match that "Sabah" head coach Valdas Damrauskas will play against "Celje" (Slovenia) in the European League. Sport24.az reports that the specialist answered questions at the meeting with media representatives:
– Every game in Europe is of great importance for the football community. We are excited and looking forward to the game. We know that the opponent made great surprises last season. They reached the 1/4 finals in the Conference League. You develop in such games. We know the opponent's strength, but as a club we are looking forward to this game. We will do our best. I invite our fans to the field. I promise we will show our best game.
– How did your arrival in Azerbaijan go?
– Sometimes you make decisions very quickly in such matters. When Sabah's offer came, I had a contract with another club. The team's ambition influenced my decision. "Sabah" was founded 8 years ago, but it has good results in a short time. The club's claim attracted me. I hope we will be successful in the first game.
– What can you beat "Celje" with?
– Small details are decisive in such matches. We analyze the opponent, we look. We have short information. Because they lost 4-5 of their main games last year. They also played only one test match. These are positive aspects. But at the beginning of the season, the situation of the teams is not completely clear. I saw my own team, I felt how eager they were. I believe that if we continue to work with such enthusiasm, we can achieve good results.
– A few years ago, you passed the Azerbaijani representative "Zira" with "Omonia". Do you think that this potential also exists in "Sabah"?
– It is not right to compare teams. I see potential in my team. We will try to play modern, attacking football. I myself like to play attacking football.
– The head coach of "Sabah" basketball team, Rimas, is your compatriot. What role did he play in your transfer to the team?
– Of course, I knew that Rimas was working here. But I haven't talked to him about it. I know "Sabah"'s claim, ambition. I will do my best to be a part of them.
– You said you were excited. Will this have a negative impact on the team?
– There is tension in such games. Because you don't know the opponent, but it disappears after 10-15 minutes. It is normal. I'm not excited, I have no worries. We had good training for two weeks. I believe in my team.
– You scored 5 goals and conceded 5 in 2 games in Austria. Is there any concern in the defense?
– Friendly matches are important for us. I always prefer strong opponents. In this way, shortcomings can be seen. That is my style. If we win test matches without conceding a goal, what will we analyze? To be honest, the children were also happy with these two test matches, we could have scored more goals. Our fans who will come to the field will be happy with our goals. It is true that everything is not perfect, but we will try to do our best.
– What were you able to change in the team in a short time?
– I know last season. We are aware of everything. We know our claims. We want to grow step by step. It is true that we had a short time, but we saw positive aspects. I always tell the kids to play bravely. Let them not be afraid of mistakes. Football is a game of mistakes. The point is to react correctly to mistakes. It is important that those playing on the same flank understand each other. I am a coach who always likes to improve in training. The upcoming game is important for us.
– Why was Yusif Imanov, the goalkeeper of the Azerbaijan national team, not taken to the training camp and was not included in the squad for the European Cup games?
– The decision was made before I arrived.
