Latvia head coach Paolo Nicolato admitted his dissatisfaction with the final score despite his side securing a win over Gibraltar, stressing that the performance – particularly in the second half – deserved a more convincing margin.
“It was a strange match, to be honest,” Nicolato said after the final whistle. “The win made the difference, but in the second half we played very well. We deserved more goals. That’s why I’m not happy with the result – I think we should have won by more.”
After a sluggish opening period, Latvia grew into the game and took control following the break, creating several clear-cut chances but failing to convert them. For Nicolato, that inefficiency in front of goal remains the key issue.
“We created good opportunities and we have to score. This is football,” he said. “The team is playing well overall, but we must improve in those decisive moments when we need to finish our chances.”
The first half, however, painted a different picture. Latvia struggled to find rhythm and managed just one notable attempt, when Jānis Ikaunieks headed narrowly wide. Nicolato pointed to the difficult playing conditions as a major factor. “There was a lot of wind, and with this pitch it’s very difficult to play,” he explained. “Even stronger teams have had problems here. Albania only won 1-0, Montenegro 2-1. It’s not easy in these conditions.”
The Italian coach also noted a sense of nervousness among his players before halftime but revealed that his message during the interval helped turn the tide. “I told them that the second half would be a completely different match – and it was.”
Latvia returned with greater intensity and composure, dominating possession and putting Gibraltar under sustained pressure. Still, the narrow scoreline left Nicolato frustrated. “Sometimes our players deserve more than this,” he added. “That’s why I’m not satisfied.”
There was also a late moment of scare when goalkeeper Rihards Matrevics slipped, with the ball in his hand almost crossing the line before a foul was given. Asked what was the initial reaction on it. “It was a tough moment for me,” Nicolato said with a laugh. “But there was a foul, so nothing happened. Sometimes football comes down to small episodes – and we haven’t always been lucky in recent years.”
Off the pitch, Nicolato reserved special praise for the travelling Latvian supporters, who made themselves heard throughout the match. “They were incredible. I want to thank them because their help is very important for us. They should be proud of the players – their attitude is always very good.”
Meanwhile, striker Roberts Uldriķis was left out of the squad as a precaution, with the coach explaining the decision was made to protect the forward following a long-term injury. “He wasn’t confident playing on artificial grass,” Nicolato said. “After such a long injury, we need to take care of him and all the players.”
Latvia will now turn their attention to the return leg in Rīga on Tuesday, where Nicolato will expect not only another win, but a sharper and more clinical display.
