---
title: "Eyes on Riga: Wiss and Morozs set tactical chessboard for Europa League tie"
date: 2025-08-06T07:51:30Z
lang: en
author: "Dmitrijs Kravcenko"
canonical: https://balticfootballnews.com/eyes-on-riga-wiss-and-morozs-set-tactical-chessboard-for-europa-league-tie/
categories: ["Europa League"]
---

# Eyes on Riga: Wiss and Morozs set tactical chessboard for Europa League tie
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Tonight, Latvian champions **FC RFS** welcome Finland’s champions **KuPS** to LNK Sporta Parks for the first leg of their UEFA Europa League QR3 clash. Both coaches spoke to the media ahead of what promises to be a closely contested tie.

### Wiss: “We must be ready for crosses”

KuPS head coach **Jarkko Wiss** was complimentary of the Riga venue, calling the pitch “excellent quality” and the compact stadium “likely to have an intense atmosphere.” He acknowledged the strength of the opposition, noting RFS’s recent experience in both the Europa League and Conference League main stages.

“_RFS have three almost two-metre-tall players on the pitch,_” said Wiss. “_We need to limit their crossing opportunities and be very alert in wide areas. Our ability to play our own game and take care of the ball will be crucial_.”

Tactically, Wiss hinted at adjustments. “_In our last two European matches, we didn’t succeed in executing our style. This time, we may have modified our approach slightly_.”

He also identified danger men: midfield enforcer **Stefan Panić** (195cm), striker **Darko Lemajič** (199cm), and towering centre-back and captain **Žiga Lipušček** (200cm)—all major aerial threats, two of whom have already scored in European competition this summer.

### Morozs: “We understand the importance—everything starts here”

RFS head coach **Viktors Morozs** struck a pragmatic tone, admitting preparation time was limited. “_We had only one full session today, but we’ve studied KuPS carefully and understand their structure and ideas. We’ll do everything to show our best performance because we know how important this match is_.”

> Despite being favourites on paper, Morozs dismissed any assumptions of superiority: “KuPS are Finnish champions. A very well-organized team. If they played in the Virslīga, they’d definitely be in the top three.”

Morozs also addressed the absence of former KuPS player and RFS star midfielder **Jānis Ikaunieks**, who earned himself a suspension following a red card in the Malmö tie. “_We’ve spoken about it—he knows it was wrong and that he let the team down. Now we move on and adapt_.”

On the return leg in Finland, Morozs acknowledged the challenge of artificial turf. “_It’s not the best surface, and they play much better at home. That’s why we need to lay the foundation here in Riga_.”

Striker **Darko Lemajič**, currently Virslīga’s top scorer, echoed his coach’s caution: “_Every match at this stage is crucial. We’ve analysed KuPS and seen moments we can exploit. Now it’s about translating that from video to the pitch._”

On his new Serbian teammate **Aleksandar Filipović**, Lemajič was full of praise: “A top professional. We played together in youth national teams. He’ll help us—maybe even tomorrow, depending on the situation.”

The match kicks off tonight at 20:00 at LNK Sporta Parks. The return leg takes place in Kuopio on **August 14** at Väre Areena.

A place in the **Europa League playoff round** and guaranteed **Conference League main stage** football awaits the winner.