Kauno Žalgiris head coach Željko Sopic admitted Besiktas were simply on another level after his side’s 0-3 defeat in the first leg of the UEFA Europa League play-off, but said he was still proud of his players for the way they fought throughout the match.
“First of all, congratulations to Besiktas. The better team won the game. It was a very long 90 minutes for me and my team. We knew before the match what kind of challenge awaited us, but honestly, I’m proud of my players because they fought for the entire 90 minutes.
“I know it’s not something journalists hear very often – a coach saying he’s proud after losing 0-3 – but you have to understand the difference in levels. We’re like Super Mario on level three, while Besiktas are on level 72. To reach that level, we still have a long way to go.
“Of course, I’m a little disappointed that we conceded from a corner and then gave away a penalty we shouldn’t have. But, honestly, they could have scored in many other ways as well. They’re simply the better team, so congratulations to them once again.”
Asked what tactical aspect of Besiktas’s play caused his side the biggest problems, Sopic pointed instead to the physical differences between the teams.
“That’s a very good question. I watched Besiktas’s last four matches, but when your defenders are faster than our strikers and your full-backs are quicker than our wingers, then tactics are no longer the main topic.
“This is about levels and the process. They have invested heavily in their squad and infrastructure. We are very happy to have already secured a place in the Conference League and, honestly, maybe the Europa League is a little bit too high for us at this moment because we have our own problems.
“We know what we have to do in our league and in the Lithuanian Cup, and we will enjoy playing in the Conference League. I’m not the kind of coach who will now say we’ll beat Besiktas 4-0 at home. We’ll give everything in the second leg, but when someone is better, you shake hands, accept it and move on.
“And one more thing – the atmosphere and the fans were amazing. It was a real pleasure to be here this evening.”
