Timi Max Elšnik is aware of the strength of Austria, but believes in Slovenia: “We are attacking for first place, we are playing at home, we fear no one!”

Published on 5. September 2024 5. September 2024

Photo: Luka Vovk / Sportida

One of the Slovenian footballers who had the most fun in the summer is undoubtedly Timi Max Elšnik. He proved at Euro 2024 in Germany that he can play at a much higher level than the Prva liga Telemach, then eagerly counted down to a transfer, and finally signed for Crvena zvezda, with whom he also made it to the Champions League. Timi Max Elšnik has undoubtedly had a dream season, but he wants to spice it up even more in the coming months.

“We are confident, our ambitions have grown even more,” does not hide Timi Max Elšnik before the fiery baptism of the new nations league season. The former captain of Ljubljana’s Olimpija continued: “After the Euro 2024, opponents definitely look at us a bit differently and especially with more respect. After a beautiful summer, we are now returning to Stožice, where I believe there will be many people who can’t wait to see us. We are in a positive expectation of everything, although the fact is that we are facing an extremely high-quality national team to start with. I expect a tough match, but at the same time a good encounter in an excellent atmosphere.”

The nations league is of course not just a friendly competition, but also opens the doors to the next world championship, which is why Timi Max Elšnik warns his teammates that they must take the upcoming tasks even more seriously. “The fact is that the nations league opens the doors to the world championship, and it is also the nations league where things started to turn better for us, leading us all the way to the European Championship. An opportunity presents itself that is worth seizing with both hands. And who knows, maybe we can get the ticket that will take us to a big competition right in the nations league,” says the 26-year-old midfielder.

Timi Max Elšnik: “Here to win 3 points”

Timi Max Elšnik, who on Friday will play his milestone twentieth match in the jersey with the Slovenian coat of arms, also had a few words for the northern neighbors, whom he respects and appreciates, yet he believes that the team of coach Matjaž Kek can initially secure all three points.

“We saw an excellent Austria at Euro 2024. We all know them well, we know their style of play, the coach’s thinking. They are known for their ‘pressing’, they are very aggressive and direct after losing the ball. Most of them play in the Bundesliga, which is very high quality and physically strong. This characterizes the Austrians. We will have to respond with the same level of running and aggression. We constantly emphasize that if we are at the level of the opponent, we can seek something more and an attacking victory. If that is not the case, we can have problems even with smaller teams. Anyway, we are aiming for first place, we are playing at home, we are not afraid of anyone. The energy is positive, we are here to win three points,” concluded Timi Max Elšnik a day before the match, which will start in Ljubljana at 20:45.

This text was automatically translated using AI.

Author: editorial Football Planet