Matjaž Kek is aware of the situation Slovenia is in, but in the same breath he stresses, “We know what problems we have had at times with both!”
Source of the photo: YouTube (Football Association of Slovenia) - screenshot
Matjaž Kek revealed on Tuesday at Brdo pri Kranju the list of football players with whom he will try to take Slovenia to its first major competition since the 2010 World Cup. Then Slovenia went to South Africa after a detour in the form of an extra qualifier, in which it beat Russia, and now has two final balls in the regular season. She will try to take advantage of the first one in Copenhagen, where she needs a win over Denmark, and if she slips up in northern Europe, she will need to qualify for the Euro 2024. A home draw with Kazakhstan will be enough to qualify for Euro 2024.
So, even though the situation is good, even excellent, Matjaž Kek, in his own style, calms the passions and points out that the Slovenian national team is facing two extremely difficult matches against two opponents against whom the team has already struggled in these qualifiers.
“I am running away from explaining how we are in a comfortable situation. That would be foolish. We’ve already played both Kazakhstan and Denmark this year. We know what problems we have had at times with both. Now we will analyse these two matches, prepare for both opponents. But let’s take it in turn. Wait for the week ahead. Train, prepare. We have been together for a long time, things are well established. But we still need to accumulate points. I don’t know why we would be in a comfortable situation? We still need points. But it is true that we have put ourselves in a situation where we decide for ourselves. We deserved it,” warned a Maribor resident. Immediately afterwards, Matjaž Kek fired like a cannon:“I’m sure we’ll take advantage of it!”
Matjaž Kek: “We got what we wanted”
Matjaž Kek does not shy away from the fact that Slovenia is shaking with fan fever. The euphoria has not been at a higher level for a long, long time. After all, Stožice was sold out 33 days before the match with Kazakhstan, a so-called fan plane will also fly to Denmark.
“We need to think first and foremost about the goal that lies ahead. It’s normal for fans to be euphoric. What will we hide? The same goes for the Danes, including the Kazakhs, who are chasing a historic result. We have to focus on the training, on the game. To go out on the pitch and give your best as much as you can at any given moment. Then again, sometimes luck can kiss you. We need to play two matches at the highest level. We will not discuss anything else. We are not interested in what is happening around us. We have created this situation, now we have to accept it,” said 62-year-old Matjaž Kek.
The selector will not allow this
On the conclusion of the qualifiers, the expert, who also left a strong mark on the bench of Croatian top-flight team Rijeka, said.We need to get the points that will take us to the European Championship. Today we already have 19 points, which could have been enough in certain scenarios, but it turned out not to be the case. Overtaking, recalculating… We will not allow that. I’m not so sure. We are not in a situation where we can underestimate anyone. To think about anything other than the quality of our game. About our relationship. About the theme. We got what we wanted. We have been talking about this since the draw. We know that the game in Denmark is very important, that the Danes are the favourites. But we also have our motives, our desires. I am satisfied. Let’s go step by step.”
In line with his coaching mentality, Matjaž Kek is currently only thinking about a win in Denmark and is not looking towards the “backup scenario” in Ljubljana: “At the moment, I’m much more interested in the state of individual players than in the first and second game. But we are now at a point where even one minute less, one injury less, should not make a difference. We have two decisive matches ahead of us. We play against direct opponents. Weather, playground… There are no alibis. There is no point in discussing this. We have to do everything to make sure that the homogeneity and compactness of the players, who have recognised the moment, will make the difficulties be forgotten. Why not let them have the pitch and let the boys enjoy it? Above all in the quality of their performance. A win in Denmark? Against Finland, we were only playing to win, and it was the same in Belfast. Now we have a similar match in Denmark, with an even higher quality opponent. We resisted them well in the first game. But the starting point is the same for them and for us. They also have a match in Belfast after that. We are aware of our quality. Anything else would be wrong. The next match is the only one we are interested in. Clearly, we first need to see what condition the players who have been called up will be in. But we will have to be smart and pragmatic.”
Now we need to take advantage of it
And the selection of players? Next to it Nino Žugelj, Žan Celar has injury problems, but not yet crossed off, Benjamin Šeško in the club is playing less than he would like but Kek believes in him. And in all the others.
“I trust the guys I have completely. This is a group of quality footballers who have also shown character. They are capable of playing these two matches. Expectations are high. It is a great privilege to be able to reflect on such a great success. But we must remain normal, confident, determined and, above all, motivated to seize the moment we have arrived at. Add you and your supporters. We are happy that the stadium is already sold out for the game against Kazakhstan, but we are only thinking about the next game,” explained the Štajerec and remarked: “We can reach a historic result. But rest assured that football will continue to be played after 21. and 22 November. I, in particular, can’t wait to start training. But we all have to do our best to show a certain quality. We must remain humble, but not humble. That’s what I always say. We need to be confident, aware of our qualities. It is what keeps me going and will take me to the finish line. We have conjured up what we have. Now we need to take advantage of it.”
This text was automatically translated using AI.
Author: editorial Football Planet