– Everything is going quite well. Yes, we have some injury problems, but honestly, I am satisfied with the players I have. It will be very interesting to see them play in the upcoming matches. I see that they have the right motivation, so my expectations are high.“
This time, the Latvian national team will not include Kristers Tobers (from Aberdeen, Scotland), Roberts Uldrikis (from Bielefeld Arminia, second German league), Janis Ikaunieks (from RFS, Latvia) or Renars Varslavans (from Riga, Latvia).
„Yes, we have some obvious gaps in the squad, but at the same time, there are reasons for enthusiasm. Something can be achieved. These are the last rehearsals before the qualifying matches, so I want to see the right attitude,“ continued P. Nicolato.
– We have to help the players improve. First, by enhancing their skills. With better players, we will have a better team. Step by step, we have to become more competitive. We have worked very hard on this for the past two years, the players have done an incredible job, so I am eager to see how they will be rewarded for their efforts.“
„Work, action, motivation, aggression – this will be the most important,“ said the Italian specialist about the Baltic Cup semifinal with Lithuania. „Also fighting spirit. We have to show all this on the field.“
„We know what the coach demands from us. That’s what we will try to implement,“ said Eduardas Daškevičius from the Auda club. „We mostly work tactically – how we will defend and how we will transition to attack. Everyone knows their positions, the coach’s tasks. The goal is very simple – to win.“
The battle between Lithuanian and Latvian footballers at the Darius and Girėnas stadium will take place this Saturday at 4 p.m. In the other semifinal, Estonia and the Faroe Islands footballers will meet. The winners will later compete in the Baltic Cup final, and the losers will face a consolation match for 3rd place.