Nicolato expects tough Montenegro test as Latvia look to end winless run

Latvia national team head coach Paolo Nicolato remains confident in his team’s development despite a disappointing UEFA Nations League campaign, insisting that performances should not be judged solely by results. Speaking at Wednesday’s pre-match press conference in Podgorica, the Italian coach defended his approach, discussed the roles of returning players Jānis Ikaunieks and Denniss Cirkins, and warned that Thursday’s opponents Montenegro will present a difficult challenge.

Latvia enter their penultimate Nations League fixture having collected just one point from their opening four matches, including a 1-2 home defeat against Montenegro in October. Despite the results, Nicolato believes his side have made significant progress over the past two years, although he acknowledged that mistakes in decisive moments continue to cost them points.

“We are following our concept and trying not to be affected by the results. If you judge only by results, it’s easy. You lose, you did something wrong; you win, you did well. But that’s not how I judge my players, our performances or our process,” Nicolato explained.

The Italian coach insisted that Latvia have generally performed well at their current level, pointing to the previous meeting against Montenegro as an example of a match in which his team created opportunities but failed to take advantage of them.

“I think we played very well against Montenegro in terms of performance. We had a lot of opportunities to score, but we didn’t score. They had fewer opportunities and scored. That’s the difference at this level.”

Nicolato also admitted that Latvia had the worst game in the opening match of the campaign away to Armenia, where they suffered 0-2 defeat as Nicolato said they were too passive from the start, while also acknowledging that the team struggled mentally after conceding an equaliser against Cyprus in their most recent match.

Ikaunieks returns, Cirkins role

One of the main talking points ahead of Thursday’s match is the return of Jānis Ikaunieks, who missed the previous international window through injury.

Asked whether the attacking midfielder would be used centrally or on the flank in Latvia’s usual 5-4-1 formation, Nicolato explained that he sees Ikaunieks as most effective in a wide attacking role, operating between the lines and supporting the forward.

The coach also addressed the situation of Queens Park Rangers defender Denniss Cirkins, who played as a centre-back during the previous international window despite being more accustomed to playing on the left flank.

Nicolato confirmed that he considers full-back or wing-back to be Cirkins’ best position, although his final decision will depend on the availability of other defenders.

“If I can choose without any problems, for sure his best position is full-back or wing-back. I hope he can play there, but it also depends on the others,” Nicolato said.

The Italian also highlighted Latvia’s limited defensive options, revealing that Deniss Meļņiks suffered a blow to the nose during his most recent Scottish Premiership match. Although the defender avoided a fracture, he is still experiencing some discomfort and has resumed wearing a protective mask, which he is expected to use in Thursday’s match against Montenegro.

Nicolato defends substitutions and trust in young players

Nicolato was also questioned about the number of substitutions made during the previous international window, particularly in the defeat against Cyprus.

The coach rejected suggestions that his changes had contributed to the disappointing results, explaining that every substitution was intended to improve the team rather than simply rotate players.

“When I change something, it’s because I think I’m improving the team. I don’t change players just for the sake of changing them,” he explained.

Nicolato pointed out that Latvia had been forced to play four international matches in a short period during the previous window, making physical condition and freshness important factors in his decisions.

He also defended his willingness to give opportunities to inexperienced players, pointing to Zelenkovs, Vapne and Grabovskis as examples of footballers who had little international experience when he first introduced them to the national team but have since become important members of the squad.

“Experience is important, but quality is more important than experience,” Nicolato said.

Asked about the criticism he faced following the previous international window, Nicolato admitted that the lack of positive results had been frustrating but insisted that his confidence remained unchanged.

“I’m very confident. I believe in my players, I believe in my work. I think we are doing very well in terms of the process. No worries for me. This is part of my job.”

Montenegro’s individual quality a major concern

Looking ahead to Thursday’s match, Nicolato expects a considerably tougher contest than Latvia’s previous fixture against Cyprus, which he described as unusually slow because both teams were physically exhausted.

The Italian praised Montenegro’s individual quality, particularly the players competing at the highest level in European football.

Among those he highlighted was striker Nikola Krstovic, whom Nicolato knows from his time coaching Italy’s U21 national team.

“Krstovic is a very good player. I even recommended him to clubs in Italy because I knew how good he was,” Nicolato revealed.

He warned that Montenegro possess players capable of deciding matches through individual moments, even when the team is not performing particularly well.

“These players can create opportunities even if their team is not playing well. They can score at any moment. That’s the difference.”

Nicolato stressed that Latvia must remain patient and focused on their performance rather than becoming preoccupied with the result.

Latvia captain Černomordijs calls for more courage in attack

Latvia’s captain Antonijs Černomordijs also addressed the media ahead of the match, admitting that the team had expected better results from their opening four Nations League fixtures.

He explained that the players had discussed their mistakes during the current training camp and were determined not to repeat them.

“We cannot change what happened in the previous camp. We are here now, and we can influence what happens in the upcoming matches,” the captain said through a translator.

Asked how Latvia could improve their attacking performances, he emphasised the need to take more risks in the final third, deliver more crosses and make better use of set pieces.

He also encouraged his teammates to show greater confidence in one-on-one situations rather than being afraid to attack.

Reflecting on Montenegro’s early opening goal in the previous meeting in Rīga, the captain admitted that Latvia had allowed the opposition too much space through the middle and said the team had analysed the situation to avoid repeating the same mistake.

Latvia will face Montenegro in Podgorica on Thursday, 12 November, before concluding their Nations League campaign at home against Armenia on 15 November.