Lithuania complete their September-October international window on Sunday afternoon when they face Azerbaijan in Baku. Head coach Edgaras Jankauskas is targeting victory at the 8km stadium to extend his side’s unbeaten run.
The Lithuanian squad arrived in Baku on Friday afternoon and conducted their only training session on Saturday at the 11,000-capacity 8km stadium. The two sides approach the fixture in contrasting moods, following Lithuania’s 3-0 home friendly win over Andorra on Wednesday and Azerbaijan’s 0-0 draw against Liechtenstein, which leaves the hosts winless after two matches. Speaking at a press conference before training, Jankauskas stressed that Azerbaijan’s recent result could provide extra motivation for the hosts.
“They failed to score, and in such matches that can happen because it is not easy to break down a defensive wall,” Jankauskas said. “A team can have dedication and the desire to score, but the goalkeeper plays well, and other shots are blocked. Such details can determine the result. That negative result from the previous match motivates Azerbaijan, but at the same time it will motivate us too, because we know that they will be especially strongly determined.”
A draw in Baku would keep Lithuania top of the group ahead of their final home fixture against Liechtenstein, but Jankauskas rejected any suggestion of playing for a point. “We know what result would satisfy them and us, but that should not allow the thought into our minds that a draw is enough,” Jankauskas explained. “I definitely know from experience that this is not a good way to approach upcoming matches, so we will definitely fight for victory.”
Sunday’s match is the second meeting between the sides in a week, following a 1-1 draw in Kaunas last Sunday. “That match was even, neither team was better,” Jankauskas recalled. “They also had the initiative during their own spells and scored a goal, while we perhaps created one or two more chances. But it was a duel between equal opponents.”
The fixture is Lithuania’s fourth match of the window, following the victory against Andorra where Jankauskas rotated his squad to rest key players. “We knew there would be fatigue because our main players had accumulated many minutes, so I think our strategy to change players paid off,” Jankauskas added. “Both those who started the match and those who came off the bench showed their level. And it is pleasing for us as coaches that more players proved they can play at this level.”
Source: https://www.lff.lt/e-jankauskas-pries-dvikova-baku-tikrai-kovosime-del-pergales/
