Michael Lilander: We weren’t sharp enough

Paide Linnameeskond suffered a 2-0 home defeat against fourth-placed Kalju on 28 October in the 34th round of the Estonian Premium Liiga, missing the chance to secure European qualification for next season.

Paide went into the match hoping to extend their good run and take an important step towards securing a place in European competition. However, they struggled to turn their attacking opportunities into goals and finished the match with ten men.

After the final whistle, Michael Lilander spoke to Paide’s media team and Baltic Football News about the defeat and the team’s struggles in front of goal.

Small details decide the game

Lilander felt that small details had proved decisive in an otherwise closely contested match. He admitted that Paide had lacked concentration at key moments and had failed to make the most of their opportunities.

“I would say that small details decided today’s game. It was actually an even match. At certain moments, I don’t know whether we switched off or lost our concentration, but we weren’t sharp enough.

“We weren’t clinical in front of goal either. I don’t know how many shots we ended up having. It’s not that we failed to create attacking opportunities, but when we concede two goals and eventually finish the game with ten men, it’s very difficult to get any points.”

Goalscoring has affected the season

Asked about Paide’s difficulties in front of goal and whether there was something the team needed to address in training, Lilander pointed to the need for a more decisive approach when chances arise.

“In front of goal, it comes down to whether you go into a challenge with the aim of just touching the ball or whether you actually try to score. There is a big difference.

“Unfortunately, our season has also been affected quite significantly by the fact that we haven’t scored enough goals.”

Focus turns to Saturday

A draw or victory against Kalju would have guaranteed Paide a place in European competition next season. However, Lilander said the prospect of securing qualification had not changed his personal approach to the match.

“It’s difficult to speak for others. Personally, it makes no difference to me. In the end, we play football regardless of whether the match carries more or less importance.

“You could say that perhaps this step came a little too early for us. We’ll turn our attention to Saturday and try to secure our objective there.”

With the European qualification race still to be settled, Lilander acknowledged the importance of keeping the squad mentally and physically prepared for the final match.

“It’s perhaps difficult to say at the moment, but both the coaching staff and the players need to be as fresh and clear-headed as possible to carry out what we want to do on the pitch.

“At certain moments, we lose our composure and fail to move the ball into the right positions, where we usually have a numerical advantage. That’s one of the things we need to focus on. There isn’t much else to it. Everyone has to do their best individually to be as fresh as possible on matchday.”

Paide remain second in the Premium Liiga standings with 60 points, holding a two-point advantage over third-placed Flora Tallinn and a three-point lead over fourth-placed Nõmme Kalju. With two matches remaining, the race for European qualification remains open.