After Riga FC’s commanding performance in a friendly against a European heavyweight – FC Porto – head coach Adrián Guľa opens up about team spirit, tactical growth, and the value of staying humble.
It might have been a friendly on paper, but for Riga FC, the recent clash against a high-profile European opponent was anything but casual. After a stunning win, head coach Adrián Guľa had every reason to be pleased—not just with the 2-0 scoreline, but with what it revealed about his team.
“For us, very good game, very good test,” said Guľa, speaking to official club media. “Not just because of the result—of course, the result is important and very nice—but also the performance was very good. Especially those ten minutes in the first half and the entire second half—we deserved to win.”
The Slovak coach praised his squad’s energy and tactical execution, emphasizing the importance of both individual brilliance and collective effort. “I saw good energy, good team spirit. Not just individual quality, but real team quality. That’s very important for us.”
Despite being an international break friendly with both clubs missing their international players, the matchup carried emotional weight. “Even in friendlies, if you play against a big club, it’s always a big motivation—for the players, the staff, the whole club,” said Guľa. “It’s a very good signal: if the guys give their maximum, they can beat even a top opponent.”
Still, the path to victory wasn’t without its challenges. Riga FC were coming off a grueling trip and missed a crucial training session. The opening minutes reflected it.
“We had a hard trip. It’s not easy to keep the rhythm immediately,” Guľa explained. “That’s why the first 15 minutes were tough—not just because of Porto’s quality. We had to push the guys mentally.”
Whatever he said at halftime, it worked.
“The guys felt it during halftime—we can win this. They believed, they did it.”
A highlight of the performance came from set pieces—an area Guľa’s team has been working to sharpen. “Finally, from the corner, we found very good timing. We scored in the league, and we continue now in friendlies. I hope this becomes a real weapon for us—because we have the potential. Not just the attackers, but Baba Musah, Černomordijs, the strikers—we just have to believe.”
With the Conference League on the horizon and domestic competition wide open, Guľa knows the real tests are just beginning. His message to the team? Stay focused. Stay grounded.
“One of our core values is to stay humble,” he said. “A big professional is happy after a win, yes—but he also knows that after this game, there’s a new day, a new game. You have to continue with the right attitude, and give your maximum.”
In a quiet nod to deeper lessons, Guľa pointed out that success only came once the players moved away from trying to shine individually. “In the first half, we had some problems when we played too individually. But when we switched to playing more compact, more as a team—with and without the ball—we deserved the victory.”
With momentum building after difficulties early in the season and confidence rising, Guľa’s Riga look more than ready to reclaim the coveted Virslīga title they last held back in 2020.
“If we continue like this, protect these values, build every day—we can do something special.”
