FK Žalgiris Vilnius secured their place in the second qualifying round of the UEFA Conference league with a 2-1 home victory over OFK Petrovac. Head coach Andrius Skerla was pleased with the result, although he admitted there were aspects of the performance that still need improvement.
“Everyone expected us to get through this round after winning the first leg, and we believed we could do it. I think we were the better team overall. We got the result we needed. Our first-half performance was good, we controlled possession well. Everything changed after the break. We scored, made a number of substitutions, and perhaps that disrupted our rhythm a little. Towards the end, we probably felt the job was done, and that’s when we conceded,” the FK Žalgiris head coach said.
Skerla made a bold selection in his starting XI by handing Gustas Jarusevičius a starting role. The coach insisted the decision was fully justified based on the player’s recent performances.
“If you compare the situation now, Jarusevičius’ competitors also haven’t played much football recently. A few days before the match, I decided he would start. The plan was always for Nemanja Mihajlović to come on later. He did exactly that, and we all saw the impact he made with a fantastic goal.”
The victory also marked a personal milestone for Skerla, as it was the first time in his coaching career that he had guided a team through a European qualifying round.
“For me personally, it wasn’t just another day at the office. But for Žalgiris, progressing from this round shouldn’t come as a surprise. This club has the quality to get through, and the expectations here are always high. We haven’t achieved anything extraordinary yet. Still, considering we’ve been inconsistent recently, it’s pleasing to have successfully come through the first round,” noted Skerla.
Žalgiris will now face Dinamo Tbilisi in the second qualifying round of the Conference League. However, during Skerla’s post-match press conference, Dinamo’s tie against US Mondorf was still in extra time. While he admitted the Georgian side appeared stronger on paper, the coach stressed that his team had no preference regarding their next opponent.
“I only saw the goals from the first leg. I didn’t watch the full match. It’s difficult to say which opponent would be easier to face. I think Dinamo Tbilisi are probably the stronger side. But you don’t get to choose your opponent. Whoever it is, we’ll have to go there and compete,” commented the FK Žalgiris head coach.
Skerla was also asked about the team’s mentality and whether recent performances had improved the squad’s confidence. He expressed satisfaction with the direction the team is heading.
“The best remedy is winning and being consistent. So far this season, we haven’t managed to achieve that consistency. There wasn’t any special preparation for these matches. From my perspective, I see plenty of positives, and I’m trying to build on them. The new signings have increased competition for places, and that pushes everyone else to raise their level. Healthy competition helps the team move forward.”
The match attracted a historic crowd, with more than 5,000 spectators at the stadium. Skerla praised the supporters and highlighted the significance of such attendances for Lithuanian football.
“First and foremost, I’d like to congratulate and thank our supporters. Every team dreams of playing in front of a full stadium, especially in Lithuania. It’s great to see that changing this year, not only in Vilnius, but across the country. Seeing such crowds in Lithuania is important for football. I’m delighted so many fans came to support us.”
Despite the comfortable aggregate victory, the coach was disappointed with the way his side finished the match, particularly after conceding late on.
“I would have liked us to see the game out differently. At certain moments, we lost control and became too relaxed. I only saw the goal from a distance, but those are the kinds of situations we’d rather avoid.”
Finally, Skerla explained his decision to introduce Marko Capan in the 66th minute after initially opting to start new signing Ivan Lytvynenko in midfield.
“Let’s just say we’ve brought in a new player, and it’s my job to integrate him into the team. The substitution may have seemed a little forced, but we also have to think about the future. We play again in just a couple of days, and both of them will feature in that match.”
