Derby, Veselinovic praises Dinamo: We give everything for the victory

2024-11-08 17:20:00, Sport CNA

Partizan's coach, Aleksander Veselinovic, expects a difficult challenge against Dinamo. On the eve of the derby, the Reds coach, speaking at the press conference, stated that the opponent is highly valued, but expects 3 points from his team.

After the two points left against Teuta, you face Dinamo, which is in high spirits. What Partizan can we expect?

As always, I am sure that we will play with a big club and a club with a lot of tradition like Dinamo. In this season, Dinamo showed that it is a very good team. In football, we always have to think about the game and the next step. Our focus will be at the maximum regarding the meeting that awaits us. I am sure that Dinamo will be a strong opponent, in the match of the first stage we drew 2 to 2. It was a game with reversal of results, Dinamo took the lead, then us and in the end it ended in a draw. Regarding this season, I think it is a very strong championship with six or seven teams fighting. In what Dinamo has shown during these weeks, it shows that it is an opponent not only for the "play-off" zone but also for the trophy. We respect Dinamo as much as possible, but as I said first, we must respect ourselves. We will prepare as much as possible, focused and concentrated, we are working at our best, to face this match. We will give everything to win the match.

Dinamo has the best attacking trio in the championship. How disturbing do you find this fact and how do you think to stop them?

Dinamo's strikers are very good. Itodo, Zabërgja, Bregu, Vila, not only those, Goudiaby, but also others are of quality. I think they have selected a very good and experienced group, but we have our group and the players, now we have to think about how to use our opportunities.

Together with Ilir Daja, you are two coaches who have not suffered any losses. Do you see it as a personal challenge?

I have a lot of respect for my colleague from Dinamo and others. I know that our work and our profession is difficult. More important are the players, their performance that they have to show on the field and off it. I think our focus will be on the players as always. We work all the time with the players and we have to focus on them. In terms of results, there are good ones and moments when they are not good. I have been working as a coach for about 24 years and I think that even when we have a good moment, maybe the results are not what is expected. In our profession, we don't have time to be happy or happy. I honestly say that as the coach of Dinamo and the others, they are quite honorable. I think he is a very good coach and with what he has shown in Albanian football.

The situation with the injured players, Hadroj invited to the National team, will he be ready for tomorrow?

For about six weeks we have had such situations, not having some players available, we will now hold the last training session, I will see during and at the end of the session who will be ready. Whoever will be 100% ready will start as a starter. We will see Hadroj's situation in training, not only for Hadroj but for any player, I cannot say for sure whether it will be or not. You saw it in the last match, Hadroji came after an absence of several weeks, he came back with Teuta but after 15-20 minutes he showed us that we should replace him. If he starts the game it will be great for us, but whoever replaces him if it happens, I'm sure he will replace him properly. I know all the players are very motivated in their training sessions and are focused and ready to play.

The last match with Dinamo ended in a 2-2 draw. What did you learn from this meeting?

It was two months ago. We have faced the following matches, we have analyzed that meeting, we try to see the next team that comes to us as a strong opponent. We don't have time to look back as the matches are very close and we only have to look forward. Nobody can determine the results of five games in a week, it is difficult how the games will turn out, they are very strong with teams playing both home and away.

The derby with Tirana and Dinamo ended in a draw, which did you enjoy the most?

Every match should be a real celebration for the public, for all actors who are part of Albanian football. After 40 years in football as a coach and player, it is important to think about the next game and the opponent that awaits us.

You haven't lost a single game, but there have been many draws?

I said it and I will repeat it again, we started the championship with short-sleeved T-shirts, now with jackets, when we are in May again with shorts, we will have the opportunity to talk about the results, the objectives. Our mind and focus should be only on the match and the next opponent. I said you can have a great performance for 6-7 months, then an injury in April to two or three key players can jeopardize the whole season. Everything should be focused only on the next game.

Zguro remains an issue, will he return with the team?

We only think about Dinamo, at the moment it is the most important for me and the opponent. Let's think only about tomorrow's opponent, that is, only about Dinamo.