Slovenia and Serbia shook hands 1-1 in the second round of the Europa League group stage last night. After the match, Slovenian manager Kike was interviewed by the media and gave an in-depth review of the match.
Keck began by recognizing the team's performance, "We proved that we are qualified for the Europa League. The game of soccer is indeed cruel at times, but I firmly believe that this team will get what it deserves." His words revealed pride in the team's performance and confidence in the future.
Speaking about the playing field and the team's performance, Keck said, "We played a brave and honest game in such a magnificent stadium, a game that will become a great story in Slovenian sport." His words not only reflect the recognition of his team's performance, but also show the rise and progress of Slovenian soccer.
On the threat of Serbia's set-pieces, Keck acknowledged that it was a known danger before the game, "We knew Serbia were a threat from set-pieces and we may have been unfocused at certain moments, but I'm still proud of the players for the incredible grit they showed."
Looking ahead to the upcoming matches, Keck said that his team will be fully focused on preparing for the match against England: "We are coming up to the last match of the group stage and we will turn our attention to England. Obviously they are the favorites to win the group, but Denmark and Serbia are just as strong. So we need to keep our heads up and be well prepared."
During the match, Slovenia had to make a change in personnel due to players' cramps. In response, Keck explained, "We had to replace Šeško due to cramps, which caused us to lose some power in the fight for the top. But even so, we kept up the tempo for the whole 95 minutes and we were not in a pinned down position for a minute."
Finally, Keck praised his team's backline, "Our backline played very well. There will be a lot of pressure on them after a result like this, but it will also strengthen the team. We are honored to have the support of our fans and country, and our young players certainly bode well for the future of Slovenian soccer."
