FCI Levadia head coach Curro Torres and goalkeeper Karl Andre Vallner expressed quiet confidence ahead of their UEFA Europa Conference League second qualifying round tie against Georgian champions Iberia 1999, stressing that the Estonian side has what it takes to reach the group stage.
“We absolutely have the quality to do it,” said Torres during the pre-match press conference. “It won’t be easy, but this team has already shown that it’s possible.”
Levadia will be without key players for Wednesday’s opening leg at A. Le Coq Arena. Captain Rasmus Peetson and Enock Otoo remain sidelined — Otoo having been stricken off the European roster due to a serious injury — while Frank Liivak is still a doubt after picking up a knock in Saturday’s domestic fixture. In addition, Ahmad Gero and Mousta Bah have both departed the club during the summer window.
“That’s football,” Torres said of the changes. “Players move during the summer window. But we’ve brought in three new names — midfielder Carlos Torres [his son], defender Kaua Davi, and striker Gabriel Wendell.”
Wendell, the most recent arrival, may not yet be eligible for UEFA competition. “I’m not sure if he’ll be available, but physically he’s still got some work to do,” Torres added.
Looking ahead to the challenge posed by Iberia 1999, Torres was respectful but clear. “They’re a strong opponent, similar to RFS. We’ll need to play at our best for all 180 minutes. That’s the only way to get a positive result.”
Reflecting on their previous tie — a 0–2 aggregate defeat to RFS in Champions League qualifying — Torres said Levadia must improve in every department. “The feeling was good in the last match, but in Europe, simple mistakes get punished. We need to control the game better in every situation.”
With their Champions League campaign over, Levadia must now defeat three opponents in the Conference League to reach the group stage. “Are we capable? Absolutely,” said Torres.
Goalkeeper Karl Andre Vallner echoed the sentiment, brushing aside suggestions that the RFS defeat had dented the squad’s morale. “I don’t think the mood has suffered at all,” he said. “I think people underestimated us a little before that tie. We showed that we can compete.”
Still, Vallner expects a tough opening match against unfamiliar opposition. “In Europe, you sometimes face teams you don’t really know. We’ve had limited time to prepare after the league match against Harju. The truth will be revealed on the pitch. But we’ll play our own game and go for the win.”
Asked whether training had focused on any specific corrections, Vallner was measured. “Not really. Two narrow losses against a strong team don’t mean something’s broken. Our game flows when we execute it well — we’ve just been trying to do everything a little bit better.”
Kick-off for Levadia vs Iberia 1999 is set for 19:30 local time today at A. Le Coq Arena. The match will be broadcast live on Soccernet TV, with pre-match coverage starting at 19:15.
Source: https://soccernet.ee/artikkel/curro-torres-ja-karl-andre-vallner-levadia-suudab-konverentsiliiga-pohiturniirile-jouda
