“Kauno Žalgiris” on Tuesday won 3:2 away against the “Drita” team, with whom they had drawn 1:1 in the first home match.
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The Kaunas team was trailing 1:2 after conceding a goal in the 53rd minute, but the victory was secured by Vykintas Slivka’s precise header in the 82nd minute, who scored two goals, and a penalty converted by Amine Benchaibo in the fourth minute of added time in the second half.
“I want to congratulate both teams. These were not easy matches for either us or Drita,” said Kauno Žalgiris coach Željko Sopičius after the game. “We conceded two very simple goals, about which I could say very bad words. But the character and inner strength of our players brought us to where we are now. These were not easy matches. I am not the kind of coach who talks about names, but the guy who scored two goals – Slivka – before the match had only about a 30% chance of playing. Huge respect to my team and those who came on as substitutes because they pushed us to the next stage.”
The Croatian took over the team only two weeks ago, so even after the impressive victory, he asked for time.
“All Kauno Žalgiris fans must understand that I came to the team two weeks ago. Before the first match, we trained for only five days, then twice more for three days each (shrugs – ed.). I am not a magician, I cannot change everything overnight, but I am glad that we advanced to the next stage, so now I will raise a few glasses of beer for my guys,” said Ž. Sopičius.
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In the second qualifying round, Žalgiris will face the Faroe Islands champions Klaksvik or Luxembourg champions Atert from Bissen. In the first match between the teams in the Faroe Islands, Klaksvik won 2:1.
However, it is already clear that Kauno Žalgiris will not be able to play home matches at their own Darius and Girėnas stadium, as in two weeks the pop music star Pitbull will perform there.
Thanking the fans after the victory, Ž. Sopičius did not hold back sharp words about this situation.
“The least we could do after the match was to give the shirts to the fans. They supported us incredibly – from the youngest to the oldest. I will be very happy if they support us in the home matches as well. We already know that we will not play at the home stadium because of some dog’s concert… Better not say anything on this topic… It is what it is. We will prepare for the next matches, and we can only win if we are first in the Lithuanian championship, which is my main goal this year,” said the Croatian.
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