Riga FC head coach Adrian Guľa believes his side are well placed to reach the UEFA Conference League league phase after Thursday’s 0-0 draw away to KI Klaksvik, insisting the Latvian champions adapted well to the difficult conditions in the Faroe Islands and will be stronger when the tie returns to Skonto Stadium next week.
Speaking after the match, the Slovak coach admitted that while his team had hoped to score, he was satisfied with both the performance and the clean sheet away from home.
“We will be satisfied at home if we win, but I think we have to accept this result,” Guľa said. “It was the first game away, a very tough game, a specific pitch and a specific environment. We adapted very well and I think for 70 to 80 percent of the match our performance was really good. We had big opportunities but didn’t score. A clean sheet away from home, against a team that creates a lot from set pieces, is positive. Everything is still open and I believe that with our fans at Skonto we will be even stronger.”
The artificial surface in Klaksvik played a significant role in how the match unfolded, according to Guľa, who compared the contest to a fast-paced end-to-end encounter.
“The pitch is extremely fast. You could see it already during our training yesterday. They tried to play quickly into wide areas and deliver balls into the penalty box, but we adapted very well. We came very close to scoring in the second half. At Skonto it will be a different game. Not necessarily easier, but different. Today we showed good character, mentality and physicality, but at home we’ll need to produce something extra if we want promotion.”
One of Guľa’s notable tactical decisions was selecting Karl Wassom alongside Ahmed Ankrah in the holding midfield roles instead of the more attack-minded Salah Oulad M’Hand. The coach explained that the decision was made to provide greater balance against KI’s direct style.
“It wasn’t only about Karl. He played very well today and deserved this opportunity. Together with Ankrah they gave us good balance, especially because we were missing Orlando Galo. We expected KI to play with five defenders because that’s what they had done in all their European matches, but they changed their structure. I think after half-time we adjusted our pressing very well and twice we found ourselves completely free in dangerous positions. We could have scored.”
While KI also created several dangerous opportunities, Guľa felt the draw accurately reflected the balance of the game.
“In the first half Frenks made an amazing save. They had their moments and we had ours. It was probably 50-50. Our two biggest chances could have completely changed the momentum, but that’s football. We accept the result and now we’ll fight at Skonto with our fans behind us.”
The Riga boss confirmed why the team’s top scorer, Mohammed Badamosi, did not travel to the Faroe Islands, revealing that Riga FC will have another weapon available for the return leg after the forward was unable to obtain a visa in time for the trip.
“We have another weapon for the second leg. Today we really missed Badamosi because he couldn’t travel due to the visa situation. At home he’ll be available and that gives us another option. Maybe our game plan won’t change completely, but there will be some important details that will.”
Guľa was particularly pleased with the way his players dealt with KI Klaksvik’s well-known threat from long throws and set pieces.
“They are specialists with their flick-on corners and long throw-ins. I think we defended those situations very well. Of course, the final corner needed a little bit of luck, but in games like this you also need luck if you defend aggressively and attack the ball properly.”
Before turning their attention back to Europe, Riga FC face rivals RFS in the Virslīga, leaving the squad with three high-intensity matches in the space of a week. Despite hinting that the schedule could have been more favourable, Guľa insisted his side would embrace the challenge.
“That’s the reality and we have to fight. We’re also fighting for Latvian football because every result helps the country coefficient. We would have preferred a different schedule, but nobody changed it, so we accept it. Now our full focus is on RFS, and after that we’ll prepare for the second leg. We will fight and do everything to win.”
