On Tuesday, Kyiv’s Dynamo will play the return match of the 3rd qualifying round of the Champions League against Cyprus' Paphos. The match will take place in Limassol. A day before the game in Cyprus, the head coach of the home team, Juan Carlos Carcedo, gave an interview to Radio MARCA.
Juan Carlos CarcedoFrom newcomer to contender in Europe
In three seasons, Paphos has transformed from a trophyless club to a competitor on the European stage.
— This is our third year, and every season we have made progress. First, we won the Cup, then the championship, and reached the Round of 16 of the Conference League. Now we want to make another leap, — noted Carcedo, acknowledging that the Champions League is a "different level".
The coach emphasized that the challenge for his players lies not only in football but also in physical and psychological endurance:
— We had almost no vacation — only about 20 days. Last season we played 61 matches. It’s tough, but passion and belief can overcome everything.
Star reinforcements and the progress of Cypriot football
Among the notable signings of Paphos this summer is the transfer of David Luiz.
— I know him well, he has experience and high-quality play. He will help us in Europe and endure a tight schedule, — pointed out Carcedo.
He also noted that he feels the impact of the club’s successes across Cyprus:
— I understand that we are doing the right things. Previously, the club did not win trophies, but now there is great enthusiasm among the people.
Experience, climate, and team spirit
Carcedo hopes that the experience from last season will aid in the crucial match against Kyiv’s Dynamo, which Paphos defeated 0:1 in Lublin.
— We will play at home, with the support of our fans and in the heat and humidity, which works to our advantage. We need to leverage these small advantages, — emphasized the coach.
He specifically highlighted the role of leaders, including David Goldar, in the multinational team:
— We had up to 17 different nationalities in the team. This has helped us grow both as a team and as individuals.
The influence of Emery and his own signature
Carcedo does not hide that Unai Emery has significantly influenced his coaching philosophy:
— I have learned a lot from him. I love it when my teams are compact, intense, and can adapt to the flow of the game.
He also emphasized that even less successful periods, such as with Zaragoza or Ibiza, have been valuable lessons:
— In every place, you try to take something useful. Even in tough moments, you find experiences that help in future challenges.
Tomorrow, Paphos may write a new chapter in its short but rich history.
— We want to compete and give our fans another special night, — concluded Carcedo.
