The under-21 national team is facing a historic moment of truth: “I am proud of how we have been working with these guys for the last two years”
Marcel Ratnik has some problems before the match against France. Photo Grega Valančič / Sportida
Not only the senior national team of Slovenia, but this week the under-21 national team has also gathered, as they face qualifying matches against France and Cyprus. With two victories, Slovenia could take a crucial step towards a historic achievement, namely qualifying for the European Championship, but the task will be – especially in the first match in Angers – very, very demanding. Milenko Aćimović, the coach of the youth team, is aware of this, but remains optimistic regardless of everything.
“The boys are in the middle of a demanding series of matches, so we were initially focused on resting them. I believe we have succeeded, as I can see from the boys’ behavior today that they can hardly wait for training. So far, everyone is healthy, Marcel Ratnik has some minor issues, but I hope we can prepare him for the match against France, everything else is fine for now,” Milenko Aćimović said in an interview for the NZS website.
The Ljubljana native will not be able to lead Slovenia from the bench in France, as he will be in the stands due to yellow cards. “We are preparing the same as always; this is my punishment, not the boys’. We have been working together for two years, we don’t change much, so we are already well-coordinated. For the first time in four years, I will not be on the bench, but I believe in my colleagues and the boys, so I don’t see this as a major problem,” emphasized the former top footballer, who also played in the elite Champions League.
Regarding the match against France, which recently defeated Slovenia but has a new coach, Milenko Aćimović added: “Our last defeat was against the French. We have watched and analyzed the match; France has a new coach, some new players, and some have moved to the senior national team of France. We have already gotten to know Henry’s tactics and style of play quite well, but with the change of coach, a new story begins. We don’t have a lot of information, but we will focus on ourselves and try to find out what they will prepare for the match against Slovenia. The boys of this generation have three qualifying matches left, but we want more. We want to qualify for the European Championship and give our maximum, just as they have done so far. I am proud of how we have worked with these boys over the last two years, how they respond and play for the Slovenian national team. I believe it will be the same in France.”
Slovenia will face France in Angers, with the match scheduled for Friday, and then Cyprus will visit Fazanerija in Murska Sobota on Tuesday.
This text was automatically translated using AI.
Author: editorial Football Planet
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