Žalgiris lost the first leg 2:5. According to the coach, the team thoroughly analyzed the reasons for the failure over the week.
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“There was none of what we talked about before the match – that the opponents might underestimate us or that the pitch might not suit them. Everything suited them and they showed it from the first minutes. Faced with their pressure, we made rough mistakes, we couldn’t keep up with the fast players. You can analyze them and advise the players, but on the pitch with such opponents, you have to handle it yourself. We failed to do that,” said A. Skerla before the August 13 match. It will start at 10 p.m. Lithuanian time.
According to the coach, in the first half, Hajduk players were given too much freedom in the middle of the pitch, but after a missed second penalty, Žalgiris managed to even out the game.
“We had 10–15 better minutes, created several chances. Still, the goal conceded before the break gave Hajduk even more enthusiasm. After the third goal, there was a period when our team slightly broke down. We all hoped to play better, but it didn’t work out. It’s nice at least that we recovered at the end of the match, wanted to attack, scored the second goal and still had chances. We didn’t stop, but the result before the return match is big. We have to accept it, learn from mistakes and not repeat them,” said the coach.
Before Tbilisi Dinamo, Žalgiris already managed to erase a three-goal deficit this European season, but A. Skerla emphasized that these situations should not be directly compared.
“That was a miracle, and such things don’t happen often. Hajduk is a completely different team. Now saying that we expect another miracle would be difficult. I watched the match and I know who we are playing against. Miracles sometimes happen, but mostly when you don’t expect them,” said A. Skerla.
Miracles sometimes happen, but mostly when you don’t expect them
The coach named better organization and focus as the team’s main goal in Split.
“First of all, we want to prove to ourselves that we can be better organized, not lose so many duels, be more focused at certain moments and on set pieces. We want to show that we are a better team and that the result of the first match does not reflect what we can actually achieve,” said the strategist.
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A. Skerla is confident that Hajduk, despite their advantage, will not relax in the return match.
“The fans won’t allow them. We see the pressure the team faces after every loss or draw – everyone expects victories from them. They declare that Europe is very important to them. After many years, they have a real chance to reach the main stage, so I have no doubt they won’t relax and won’t change the lineup much. We have to be ready for them to want to show their full strength,” said the coach.
Žalgiris’ strategist hopes the team will try to attack but maintain balance.
“I would like the team to attack and score goals. We score, but we also concede a lot. We want more balanced football, not blindly running forward and forgetting defense. Playing against such a team, there may be periods when we will be forced to defend very deep. The fact is they will have more ball control. Still, we have to take advantage of moments when the ball is with us. I believe then we will be aggressive and create chances,” said A. Skerla.
A. Skerla also visited Poljud Stadium when his friend Valdas Dambrauskas coached Hajduk.
“I saw the training sessions, watched how Valdas worked here, and I really liked the Hajduk game at that time. I also saw matches at this stadium and felt its atmosphere. It’s not usual for us to play in such stadiums, such opportunities are rare. We want to embrace this experience and play good matches,” said Žalgiris’ coach.
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