---
title: "“We have to start better” – Nicolato after Latvia’s 2-2 draw"
date: 2025-10-11T19:16:53Z
lang: en
author: "Janis Vitols"
canonical: https://balticfootballnews.com/we-have-to-start-better-nicolato-after-latvias-2-2-draw/
categories: ["FIFA World Cup", "Latvia"]
---

# “We have to start better” – Nicolato after Latvia’s 2-2 draw
![](https://i0.wp.com/balticfootballnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/LFF_NI_MD_LVA_AND_11.10.2025-199.jpg.jpg?resize=1024%2C683&ssl=1)Photo: LFF

Paolo Nicolato.

**Latvian national team head coach Paolo Nicolato gave a frank assessment of his side’s performance following their 2-2 draw with Andorra, speaking openly about both frustrations and positives from the match.**

_“It was a strange game from the very beginning,”_ Nicolato said in the post-match press conference. “_The first half was technically poor. Yes, the wind made it difficult, but that can’t be an excuse – we have to play cleaner football. In the second half, we changed the rhythm, controlled the ball, and created real chances to score.”_

The Italian coach admitted that fine margins continue to work against his team. _“We’ve hit the post three times in six games, missed a penalty, and had shots cleared off the line. Of course, there are individual mistakes, but luck hasn’t been on our side either. Honestly, we deserved more from this match.”_

This was the third straight game this autumn in which Latvia looked stronger after the break than in the opening 45 minutes – a pattern Nicolato knows must be addressed. “_We need to figure out why we don’t play at full intensity from the start,”_ he said. _“Some players aren’t getting enough minutes at their clubs, which doesn’t help. But in international football, you have to be ready from the first whistle.”_

Despite having more possession overall, Latvia didn’t dominate the chance count. _“It’s not just about having the ball,”_ Nicolato explained. _“We need to turn that control into goals. The goals we conceded were far too easy – both came from tactical mistakes and slow reactions. At this level, that gets punished.”_

Still, Nicolato saw clear improvements after halftime. _“We played better football in the second half – more combinations, more pressure, more opportunities,”_ he said. “_Sometimes the luck just isn’t there, but we have to keep creating chances. My frustration is with the way we started: too many sloppy passes that disrupted everything – transitions, positioning, intensity. That’s something we must fix.”_

**Source:** [https://lff.lv/zinas/18555/p-nikolato-jabut-konkuretspejigiem-jau-no-pirmas-minutes/](https://lff.lv/zinas/18555/p-nikolato-jabut-konkuretspejigiem-jau-no-pirmas-minutes/)