The general director of RFS, Maris Verpakovskis, ahead of the match in the UEFA Europa League against Kyiv «Dynamo», for which he once played, spoke about his current club.
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«There is no chance to go further, but we are proud of the victory over Ajax»
— Maris, RFS recently shocked Europe with its first victory in the main round of the Europa League over Ajax (1:1). Is this a significant event in the context of Latvia and the Baltic region?
— It took a long time to get to the first victory in the main draw. Until then, we were earning points, but there were no victories.
— Can this be compared to Latvia’s qualification for Euro 2004?
— This is a great achievement for all Latvian football. Unfortunately, we have no chance to go further, but we are very proud of the victory against one of the giants of European football — Ajax.
— Did you expect that RFS would at least win once in the group stage?
— It was unexpected because we just returned from vacation. It was hard to believe before the game, but the team pleasantly surprised everyone.
— Did news reach you that someone won big with bookmakers by betting on RFS’s victory?
— Personally, I haven’t heard, but I would be happy for those lucky ones.
— RFS has been playing in group tournaments of European cups for two consecutive seasons. Is there a significant difference between the level of the Conference League and the Europa League?
— The difference is great, but the key factor is maintaining the majority of the leaders. The coaching staff, the backbone. Every year we have executed one big transfer. It’s clear that the players managed to overcome the mental barrier in front of the opponent’s name, that these teams can and should achieve results. There’s no fear or uncertainty. The guys have grown during this period. The experience gained allows us to look solid against teams like Eintracht and Ajax.
— In Latvia, the spring-autumn system is in place, and clubs mainly live off transfer exits. How did you manage to build a competitive team under these conditions?
— We have the opportunity not to sell all of our leaders. We manage to find a compromise, understanding that it may play in the club’s favor. There have been cases when we didn’t sell players for big money because we understood that we could lose quality and it would be hard to replace them. We can sell one player, but two or three would be a significant loss in one window. So far, this strategy is bringing results domestically and on the Euro stage.
There are pros and cons to the spring-autumn system, but there is also an advantage in that in the summer we have an edge over opponents who are just warming up for the preseason. This makes our way to the Euro autumn easier. We expected that in January it would be hard for us when Ajax is on the horizon and we only returned from vacation two weeks ago.
— RFS has experienced both the old and the new format of European cup competitions. Which one do you prefer more?
— The new format is more interesting, especially for smaller teams. We find it much more interesting to play against eight different teams rather than two times against three. It’s a new experience, new acquaintances, interesting teams. There are no walkover matches like before, when the last rounds became a formality, teams fielded reserves, understanding that there was no chance of advancement. Here, every game can impact the distribution of places in the top 24. This format is more interesting for everyone.
Among the downsides — the last two rounds in January. We also faced the fact that the contracts of a number of leading players were expiring in December, and you can’t change the lineup for the group tournament. We lost someone, but a few guys agreed to re-sign for another month to help us. Given the personnel problems, it was hard to assemble a squad. When signing new contracts, we will include auto-renewal in case of reaching the main stage of European cups.
— You have been part of RFS since 2018. Did you expect that in six years the team would not only become a flagship in Latvia but also be competitive in Europe?
— What we started with and what we have now has exceeded all expectations. When I came, we had not a single title. We wanted to win something in Latvia. We understood that to reach the European cups, we needed to win the championship. We are very glad to have qualified for the Europa League for the first time and proved that we belong at this football celebration.
«Ukrainian Derkach has the potential to realize himself in Latvia»
— What distinguishes RFS from other teams in Latvia?
— We have a very good team of like-minded people. We try to ensure that the family atmosphere is transferred vertically. Human values help us attract the best players. Everyone knows that you won’t be abandoned, there is stability, and reputation plays a role when a player receives a more financially lucrative offer; they can make a choice in our favor. This is a kind of marker.
— Even despite the more resourceful «Riga»?
— I can speak for our club. «Riga» is several times wealthier than us. Competing with them is currently difficult, but we have a philosophy, a team of like-minded people that allows us to achieve great goals.
— However, as a footballer, you know exactly what it’s like to rise after great victories.
— After the victory over Ajax, the emotions and experience that the guys gained in the Europa League can have a positive impact. There is no pressure for results; the chances of advancing to the playoffs are lost. Prestige and the opportunity to receive good bonuses come to the fore.
— Which of your players should be watched by those who do not follow RFS?
— Adam Marhiev has stood out brightly. He is a very interesting midfielder, a U-21 national team player for Finland, scored the winning goal against Ajax, helps the team a lot in defense and attack, and is a very versatile player. He had a strong match against Eintracht. Lasha Odisharia performed very well in the Europa League. I would also note Rashit Ndji, who can play in defense and central midfield. There is already interest in him, and I think he could be the next player to move to Europe.
— In the club structure, there is a graduate of Shakhtar winger Maxym Derkach. How would you assess his progress?
— Max has been with the club since last year. The first year was spent on adaptation, gaining playing time in the Latvian Cup. This year, I expect his role in the team to grow, and he will get a chance to become a key player.
— Can Derkach compete for a spot in the first team?
— He has the potential, but it all depends on how he shows himself in the preseason. We believe in him and hope that Max will be able to realize himself here, and we will help him take the next step in his career.
«If Shovkovsky wins the UPL — there should be no questions about him»
— RFS will finish its performance in the Europa League with a game against «Dynamo». Last summer, you said you hoped to get such a draw. With what emotions are you looking forward to the game in Hamburg?
— I wanted us to get «Dynamo», there is nostalgia for those times, many acquaintances remain, especially in the staff and coaching team. I will be happy to see and talk to everyone. It’s interesting to check RFS’s strength against «Dynamo», what we will look like. It’s a pity we cannot play in Kyiv. I would have been happy to return again. Very warm emotions in these days. I am looking forward to this game.
— What will be the key to getting a result against the UPL leader?
— The coaching staff knows the answer to this question better.
— Currently, your former teammates are working at «Dynamo». Do you keep in touch with them?
— I am in contact with Husyev, Shovkovsky, and Fedorov; we manage to meet once a year at camps and play together. I’m in constant contact with Oleksandr Kozlov from the analytical group regarding friendly matches. With the management — with Anatoliy Vovk regarding work moments; we often see each other at draw events. After the Europa League, we have a friendly match planned in Turkey.
— Were you surprised that Oleksandr Shovkovsky became a coach, although his desire for self-improvement could have led anywhere?
— I agree with you. I saw him more outside of football: as a politician, a TV presenter, something like that. Sasha is doing quite well. Fans may be dissatisfied with the game in the Europa League, but there are objective reasons. The war, finances, a lack of quality legionnaires. If Sasha wins the championship for «Dynamo» — there should be absolutely no questions about him. As a former player and fan of «Dynamo», I believe he will succeed.
— «Dynamo» is one team in the championship and completely different in European cups. Should today's realities in Ukraine be the basis for such results, or are there other factors affecting the outcome?
— I do not know all the internal moments. It would be wrong to express an opinion from the outside when you do not find yourself in these conditions.
Oleksandr Karpenko