Willy Sagnol, head coach of the Georgia national team, held a post-match press conference after draw (1:1) with Czech Republic in the EURO 2024.
“Kvaratskhelia? I do not talk about players individually. I may talk later when I analyze their game. Kiteishvili needs another day and we will see if he will be able to help us. Kvirkvelia was in hospital in Georgia for 10 days. When he arrived in Austria, he was not 100 per cent ready. He was tired and I replaced him by Gvelesiani.
What did I say to Lobjanidze? I imagined what he was feeling and that is why I went up to him. After the match we had mixed feelings. At first we were disappointed because of the last moment but then we realized that we gained the first point and it means more than just a point for us.
I am not surprised by the Czech team. We knew it would be a tough match. Perhaps, the Czechs are also disappointed because they could not use many moments but we have a fantastic goalkeeper. Today Mamardashvili was absolutely fantastic. In football you do not always get what you deserve. It happened in the match against Turkey when we did not deserve the defeat.
We have nothing to lose at this European Championship. Our main goal was to gain experience from such tournament. I love Georgia but I cannot say we can become champions of Europe now. This is the experience from which a lot can be learned and will help the Georgia national team in the future.
We are facing Portugal in the upcoming match. We respect the opponent. We will prepare as much as possible. We will have the ambition to achieve a good result. We know it will be a tough match but now we must regain our energy because some players are tired.
The main thing is to focus on what we did well and what – not. Lobjanidze is feeling very bad now but we will try to cheer him up”, - said Sagnol.
After two rounds the Georgia national team has 1 point and will play Portugal on June 26 in Gelsenkirchen.
WORLDSPORT.GE from Hamburg
