Riga FC head coach Adrian Gula praised his side’s improved aggression and mentality after a 4-2 victory over BFC Daugavpils, describing it as an important response after the previous match.
“Good victory for us,” Gula said. “We were more focused, more aggressive than last game and we deserved this victory. It was very, very important to win this game.”
Riga eventually won comfortably, but Gula said the performance was not without flaws. He pointed in particular to a spell early on before the breakthrough and to a loss of concentration in the second half after his team had gone 3-0 up.
“Only these 10 minutes in the second half after 3-0, we lost a little focus,” he said. “But our reaction was also good. We jumped back, we scored four goals and then victory.”
Gula also pushed back strongly against the suggestion that the first penalty had arrived unexpectedly, insisting Riga’s pressure in and around the box had earned the decision.
“It was a clear penalty,” he said. “We attacked the box, we put in a lot of set-pieces, we were there, and then we had a penalty because it was totally a penalty.”
The Riga coach again raised concerns about refereeing and player protection, arguing that the lack of VAR in the opening rounds had been costly. He said players across the league needed greater protection, especially on difficult pitches and in physical matches.
“We need to protect the players,” Gula said. “Not just my players, but in general every player.”
He revealed that captain Černomordijs had played most of the match with what he described as a completely broken nose before going to hospital afterwards, calling his display “real captain” leadership. Gula also said Anthony Contreras is set for surgery on Monday after suffering an injury, with his chances of returning this season still unclear.
Tactically, Gula admitted Riga had been slightly surprised by Daugavpils lining up with two central defenders and two strikers, but said his side adapted well and controlled the game once they found their rhythm.
For Daugavpils assistant coach Jurijs Sokolovs, the defeat underlined that his side remain a work in progress. He congratulated Riga on a deserved win and admitted his team had defended too softly, especially in the first half.
“We conceded very easily today,” Sokolovs said. “The fourth goal finished everything.”
Sokolovs said Daugavpils are still searching for their ideal structure, starting line-up and positional balance, with injuries further complicating those plans. He confirmed that Edgar Ivanovs had suffered an injury in training and could be out for a lengthy spell, while also admitting the squad currently lacks proper competition in defence.
“We do not yet have an ideal structure or ideal mutual understanding between the players,” Sokolovs said. “With every next game we get closer and closer to it.”
The result left Riga with a convincing attacking return and a much-needed win, while Daugavpils were left to reflect on another match in which experimentation and defensive fragility proved costly.
