The coach of Bulgaria – Ilian Iliev, spoke before the start of the League of Nations with the visit of Belarus, which is hosted in the Hungarian city of Zalaegerszeg by UEFA’s decision. It is related to the country’s support for Russian military aggression in Ukraine.
“We are not one of the leading European teams that rely on individuals. If we don’t have a team and a group that can achieve something together, it would be difficult for us to achieve anything, even against teams from “our own”. so be it tomorrow. Belarus will bring in dynamism, aggression, and these matches are very difficult to overcome. We respect the opponent, you know why.”
The drug specialist has been leading Bulgaria since November last year, and so far has not been defeated. But there is only one victory – 1:0 over Tanzania in the spring of this year.
“In these six games in which I have led the team, we have played well for long periods. But these games that are coming are extremely difficult – if we think we are above them by something, we can suffer. We have to respect the opponent. There is a little eclipse to Belarus, you know for what reasons, while we are watching the matches, it is important to know the opponent, they have some unknowns for us, but these are details.
We respect the opponent and know that he is well prepared. It is important that we are aware of what the opponent can offer, and that we go out and play football. But if we try to score from the first minute, it will be difficult. We cannot play for a result, but we must try to play football, because we are not the kind of team to play with long balls and wait for statistical situations”, Iliev also announced.
He was asked to comment on Fabian Nürnberger, who is from a family of a Bulgarian mother and a German father. He plays for Darmstadt in the Second Bundesliga.
“Fabian is a very good boy, he speaks 80% Bulgarian. This helps him a lot, unlike Lukas Petkov, who did not know Bulgarian. We are a bit in the dark with him. We are limited to this position – left defender, and if we decide to start the match , more experienced people should help him. He has qualities. The fact that we didn’t get him a passport so far is not up to us or him,” said Iliev.
Regarding the goals in group C3, the coach of Bulgaria, who also leads “Black Sea”, announced: “Even at the beginning we talked about winning the group, because there is also the option of being drawn in the playoffs for the next championship. But we also have to win for self-confidence. There is no it’s easy because Luxembourg have raised the level, the players of Northern Ireland are playing in good championships. Belarus have also given us problems. I want to go out and show the qualities of our players.”
“That’s why we came to the national team in the national team. A lot of negativity poured in, and our players are not that bad to have such a negative reaction.
Our goal is to make people recognize the national team with the work and the results, as I hope is happening. Hopefully there will be positivity from this match in Plovdiv as well (on Sunday it’s home to Northern Ireland) to have euphoria. This was also the goal to restore the faith of the people,” concluded the coach of Bulgaria.