Although he looked sad, he recognized the qualities of his opponent. Vladimír Weiss sat down in front of the media with his head held high. And despite the heavy 1:5 loss against Celtic, he was proud of the team after Slovan’s first match in the Champions League.
Photo: TASR, Martin Baumann
Whites coach Vladimír Weiss had a difficult time on the bench in Celtic Park during Slovan’s debut in the Champions League.
What is your assessment of the first match in Slovan’s history in the Champions League?
Congratulations to Celtic on a cruel but deserved victory for us. It was played in a fantastic atmosphere. We played excellently in the first half, Vlado (Weiss) had a chance to equalize, unfortunately we didn’t score. In the second half, we wanted to survive their initial pressure, but Celtic scored two quick goals that decided the course of the match. We scored a contact goal and wanted to play open football, which was grist to their mill. We lost 1:5, I can’t be satisfied with the result, but I’m not disappointed with the performance. Celtic were effective, we wanted to play football and we left a decent impression even though we lost 1-5.
What did the team lack to achieve a more favorable result?
Better transition from the back into the attack. It took us longer to pass, which is very important in modern football. You yourself saw the kind of pressing that the opponent’s players performed, it’s a sprint for a sprint. We have given what we have. We knew we were going against the best, in two weeks it will be the best club in the world. We lost today, but I’m not leaving disappointed.
The home team played the match with great intensity. Have you experienced a similar opponent during the time you have been in Slovan?
In three and a half years from the standpoint of intensity, fans, Champions League, no. It was an instructive match. We gave it everything we know, we have to appreciate the Celtic players and the quality of coach Brandan Rodgers. We were prepared for everything, but the quality showed. We gave them a chance for breaks, they used them, we had a lot of loose balls.
How about the atmosphere at Celtic Park, wasn’t that one of the reasons for the big loss?
The team was not afraid of that atmosphere, we were ready for this. Football is about goals, Celtic gave them – goalkeeper Takač also made two good saves. If he had given Vlado a goal to 1:, it would have been a better match, but that is if… Goalkeeper Schmeichel was preparing him for that side, his move didn’t work out, as Vlado told me later. That’s football. We also had good things there, but their pressing, repressing, sprints after losing the ball, all of that is at a high level. In this respect, our league cannot be compared with world football. Physical condition: Have you seen their legs, they are selected players, perfectly prepared. I am proud of the team where we are. I am not disappointed.
Before the start of the Champions League, you set yourself the goal of scoring points. Will they be easier opponents, like Celtic, or will we see such quality in the next duels?
Some teams certainly have even more quality than Celtic. They drew it for us here in Glasgow, which is an extra 50 per cent for them. The atmosphere here is the best in the world. In two weeks, the best team in the world awaits us with Pep (Guardiola), the best coach. He understands football the most and has changed it for the better. It is a challenge for us, we will try. The important thing is that we were able to experience what we experienced here and we have to thank the players for that.
Vlado had a great chance, he had already penetrated into the penalty area in front of her, but Strelec did not move the ball to him. Was it intended that these two players should handle the offense?
Since we don’t have a classic left defender, we opened the game with a three. Both Kucka and Danylo Ignatenko had more defensive roles with the opponent’s pressure and how quickly they play in the midfield. We could turn the game more, we knew that Vlado would be free on the left side. We had the chance to level the match at 1:1, but unfortunately we didn’t take it. Strelo also had a chance, Marko showed good things and Tigran. If you play with a team like that… We gave it everything, but you have to appreciate the quality of the opponent. Celtic was better.
You talked before the game that it would be difficult to penetrate their defense. What was it that your words were confirmed?
Their pressing, passing speed, opening the game, one-touch play. They were better at that, they should be congratulated. At home, we would have a better chance for a better result. It was practically impossible in this atmosphere. They have typologically smaller but fast players. We have taller ones, they were faster, more accurate, better quality in many phases of the game. Celtic deservedly won – but you won’t hear any criticism of my charges. I am proud that they are here, the emotion they have given to this club. People will be looking forward to City, and we will play in such an atmosphere at Tehelno polí and see what football will bring us.
You also selected a new player, Danylo Ignatenko, to the starting line-up. How about his performance?
I knew what to expect from him. He is an excellent football player, but he has a breakdown in the training process and in game practice. After leaving Bordeaux, he prepared himself for a month with a fitness trainer. I promised before the start of the Champions League that I would give minutes to every player. We have 22 players and if it is possible in the remaining seven games, I will give everyone a chance to have a chance to play in the Champions League. Danylo also knows that he has to improve physically to show the game he knows.
Kevin Wimmer scored Slovan’s first ever goal in the Champions League, even though he started in an unconventional position on the left side of the defense.
He didn’t play there for the first time, we have no choice in this position. Sharani (Zuberu) played decently, then got injured. We have Matúš Vojtek, whom I didn’t expect from such a match, that’s a different level. Those who will play on Saturday against Ružomberok must show that I am a coach here, I also want to play in the Champions League. In addition, Kevin scored a beautiful goal, the ball may have been touched a little, but that counts, it will go down in history. You can always play better, but I say OK.
Source: sportweb.pravda.sk
