Slovakia head coach Francesco Calzona commented on his team's 1-0 victory over Belgium in yesterday's match of the 1st round of the Euro 2024 group stage in Group E.
Francesco Calzona"I am happy. Our team had to be patient in the second half, but it's completely normal, because we faced a very strong opponent. In any case, my team did exactly what I asked. I am also very happy about it.
This is a victory that really has a lot of weight. I am happy for the guys, because they have done a great job for all these days and, of course, they deserved such a result.
It was immediately clear that the Belgian national team studied us well, so we immediately faced difficulties. For some time we were not able to get out of defense, but it was to be expected, because we had a team of very high quality in our opponents. Despite this, we did not give up our intentions in attack, thanks to which we managed to score this goal.
Wins of Slovakia and Romania over those who are considered favorites of the group? I think the quality of smaller teams like ours, for example, has improved. We are starting to create serious problems for the more established opponents. Although the difference in class and level still exists. So we need to work even harder.
And despite today's results, it will still be very difficult in this group, because Belgium and Ukraine lost to teams they didn't count on. Accordingly, the one who lost, will try to get back into the fight in the next round. And from this point of view, our remaining two matches in the group (with Ukraine and then with Romania - editor's note) will be very difficult. So we will have to be as prepared as possible, because of course we don't want to lose the advantage in the group that today's victory gave us," Calzona said at a press conference after the match against Belgium.
Translation and stylistic adaptation - Dynamo.kiev.ua, when using the material hyperlink is mandatory!
