Kaunas, Lithuania – FK Kauno Žalgiris are set to kick off the second qualifying round of the UEFA Europa Conference League tomorrow, as they host Icelandic side Valur Reykjavik at Darius and Girėnas Stadium.
Ahead of the match, head coach Eivinas Černiauskas and midfielder Divine Naah spoke to the media at a press conference held earlier today.
“We’re eagerly awaiting the match, every player is excited. As always, European matches are something special,” Černiauskas said confidently. “We’re well prepared, we have a lot of information about our opponents, and we’ll try to use it to our advantage.”
Naah echoed his coach’s enthusiasm, emphasizing the team’s strong morale: “We’re very motivated. We’ve been waiting for this ever since the first match and we’re happy to have progressed to the next round,” said the Ghanaian midfielder.
Coach Černiauskas added that the team’s recent success has helped ease the pressure: “Every win builds confidence. Getting through the first round took some of the tension off our shoulders. Our goal is to go as far as possible, but we’ve already achieved the minimum target. So I believe there will be less pressure than there was in the opening round.”
When asked about Valur’s playing style, Černiauskas noted the similarities between the two sides: “Watching them felt like déjà vu, there are many similarities between us: in age, playing style, and player profiles. The main difference is their physical presence, they’re significantly taller than us. But I believe we’re evenly matched, and the outcome will likely hinge on small details.”
The coach was also asked about Valur’s key players but chose instead to highlight their teamwork. “Most of their players are Icelandic, with a few foreign players. They are slightly stronger physically, but their greatest strength is their cohesion. They are very well-organized both offensively and defensively. You could single out one or two players, but the core of their strength is their team play, and that’s where we’ll focus.”
Černiauskas also expressed his delight at returning to Darius and Girėnas Stadium and joked about the stage currently standing next to the pitch.
“It’s great to be back at our home stadium, to train and play on our own turf. We expect more of our fans here. As for the stage, it’s outside the field and we’re used to it, but who knows, maybe it’ll throw off the opponents a bit,” he said with a smile.
Divine Naah, who has experience playing in Denmark and Norway, commented on the nature of Scandinavian football and Valur’s style.
“After our video analysis, we saw that they are a very solid team. We respect them and expect a tough match. Icelandic football is quite similar to that in other Scandinavian countries, they play with a lot of physical strength and rely heavily on set pieces,” said the experienced midfielder.
Naah also spoke proudly about the team’s form this season and the personal milestone of captaining the side in the previous match.
“This has been my best season with FK Kauno Žalgiris so far. I think it’s due to the strong bond we have between players, coaches, and the entire staff. The chemistry is amazing, and we hope to finish the season strongly. Wearing the captain’s armband was a special moment for me, I’m even planning to share a few pictures on social media. I’ve been with the club for a while now, and it’s a great honor to take on that responsibility,” he said.
The first leg between Kauno Žalgiris and Valur Reykjavik will kick off on July 24 at 19:00 at Darius and Girėnas Stadium.
Source: https://zalgiris.lt/naujienos/e-cerniauskas-pries-antra-konferenciju-lygos-etapa-viska-lems-mazos-detales-video
