‘We want to play in League A of the Nations League, there is disappointment but we will be ready against Finland’

The national team will play their rest in the match against Finland in Helsinki on Sunday (17/11, 19:00), with the “blue and white” eyes, however, also on Wembley, where Greece wants to upset the “three lions” ” to win first place.

Ivan Jovanovic, at the press conference before the important match for the last match of the Nations League, referred to the embrace of the Greeks towards the National Team, about how he has psychologically prepared the team after the 3-0 defeat at OAKA, while he also spoke about the progress shown by the “blue and white” under his technical leadership.

What Ivan Jovanovic said in detail at the press conference:

On what the squad looks like after England: “You understand that we were very disappointed after England. In these few hours that we have behind us we had to discuss some things, because we have an important game not in analysis but in understanding some things that with England we could do something better.

The players made a very good effort, but there was a great physical demand. England could control the pace, bring it down, bring it up. We have to take all the positivity, all the positives we had in the previous four matches. Competitively we are in for the first place, we have a difficult opponent that we have to beat. When the National team is in the middle there is a short period of time that we have to manage things“.

On whether he considers it coincidental that the world came or whether he considers it a talented generation: “It is not coincidental. We have a talented generation, they missed a qualification in a main stage on penalties you can’t blame them. After Georgia they showed they have what it takes to claim things. They are Greeks, they have egos and they want to claim something big.

That is why there is disappointment because they managed to bring 60 thousand people to OAKA. Whoever they played after the double at Wembley the crowd would come. League A is a goal for us, it is elite. All these games are difficult but they lead you to the limit up.

A team only improves with games like this. I don’t know if it’s possible to finish now or in March, we’ll have to challenge for promotion because it’s a huge challenge to be there. It will help us in future draws either in the World Cup or in the next tournament. We have conscious players, they fully understand the situation in the team“.

On whether he has been satisfied with the work done at the National Team so far: “In the National team, things are different, the quality time in terms of training is reduced, the process of managing the players is special. It’s special how we work the way we want to play. It is an important experience for me. We have the same way of playing and thinking about the game.

In some matches we may shape our game a bit to benefit us. As a team we have built a base which we can gradually shape. We have players who can respond to the style of play. I have a positive conclusion about what we have done so far, the world has embraced the effort. Our obligations are constantly increasing, we must continue to be competitive“.

On what will make the team overcome the disappointment: “Let’s win (laughs). You know we all came here for a purpose in the National team. After how many years so many people came to OAKA, we wanted this game to end and for them to leave happy. There can also be defeats. We must create the prospects for excitement in the world. It is not pleasant not to be full in the stadium.

England will have a full Wembley whoever they play. We have to get results, that’s our culture. For me it is important that this team continues to put in a great effort. We are not playing for ourselves, we are playing for all Greeks. We always want to have a full stadium. Such defeats hurt us but make us stubborn“.

On the frustration with England and how he’s handling it: “Pushing ourselves to the limit up is the most enjoyable thing. The moments we lived, the double at Wembley, the full OAKA. You can’t tell someone not to cheat if you don’t succeed. Disappointment is about how we would have been if we had won. We want the results, it’s normal. Every game is a new obstacle for us.

There is frustration which is perfectly normal. But from this game and all the others to come, you understand the challenge we have to get great results, to keep the fans’ interest in the National Team. People were not disappointed by the result, we could have been better. If we exclude some intervals we were not at the level we can be as a team”.

On whether he thinks the players are ready to react: “It can be a motivation above. We have never won here. We have had time to discuss and I can confirm that the players are aware of the situation at the moment.

They are aware and in the tactical part, our discussions are very interesting, they have a high level of understanding. Also some problems presented can be solved. They are a very good group, tomorrow they will show up ready. We have to be strong because they are a strong team. Whichever generation came failed to win here.

For the statistics that National Team has and other teams do not have: “Ecoach doesn’t think about it. Statistics play a role after the match and not before. I had told the players to create game conditions that create a challenge for the opponent, not just get the result.

To see our weaknesses and improve them. We are not changing our thinking, nor will we change it tomorrow. On this basis we will build some things later because we will need to change things. Fortunately players who have the ego to go after things they want. We risk more playing like this, but it’s better. We have talent, it’s a shame it’s being put into a mold that doesn’t fit because of the result.

In League A it will be more difficult, but it is the only group where we will have a real insight into what we can do. We have to play to our limits there, whether we want to or not. The games are more attractive and there are many positives to play there. We will help you in the next draws. At the end of the day they’re the ones we’re going to play with if we want to do something.”.

As for whether he wants to send a message to the world: “To those who came to the stadium and were disappointed, I want to tell them to stay with us. To be honest, like in Serbia, so in Greece, people love the result. We will succeed with the results. It easily fills the stadium, but we have to do things from our side to give them the motivation.”