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After a painful friendly match loss to Albania 1-4, Lithuanian national team coach Csaba Laszlo insisted that the weakened team composition and debuts of newcomers cannot be an excuse.
The specialist also added that he was not satisfied with the performance of some players, and this will be taken into account when ranking the lineup for the upcoming World Cup qualifying match against Greece.
"Today everything was bad - not only the weather, but the team just didn't play. The scenario repeated itself when the second match is much harder for us. For example, last year we won in Liechtenstein and painfully lost in Bosnia. This time it was even more difficult because we lost many players even after the match against Slovakia, and in Albania, a few players got sick. So, the preparation was far from ideal.
It happens, I wouldn't want to consider it an excuse. On the other hand, we need to understand that Lithuania's football resources are limited. Today we practically had a new team. New goalkeepers, the whole defense. The match was decided not only by individual mistakes, but the game didn't go well. For example, we missed M. Panka, K. Ivashkevich in the midfield.
I am very disappointed that Albania scored three times in our goal area and we missed three goals. The fourth goal probably just didn't go our way.
However, we can rejoice in the fact that we earned a point in Slovakia. Today's match also provided many answers for the upcoming matches against Greece. Some players truly didn't convince me.
Maybe we need to rethink friendly matches. On one hand, we need to test new players, but constantly losing is unpleasant. We play well in qualifying matches, but poorly in friendlies. Such matches are meant to prove our worth, but not by playing like this.
Albania played with a similar lineup to the one that recently won in Norway. In the midfield, they were more focused, showed more aggression and fighting spirit, which was necessary on such a poor field."
Lithuanian national team defender Edgaras Cesnauskis:
"The match was difficult, the field was very challenging. Many things didn't work out today. We played very poorly in defense, made many mistakes.
The coach had the opportunity to evaluate the closest reserves of the national team. We had many new players. However, it's not enough to justify it just by that, because a player called up to the national team must be able to perform his functions in his position.
After the break, we understood and the coach made it clear that we cannot afford to concede more, we need to try to rectify the situation. It was good that we managed to score, although we also conceded a goal in our net. The second half was truly more successful.
I am pleased that the national team coaches trust me and allowed me to be the team captain. Of course, today I wanted to fight for victory with the team."
Lithuanian national team forward Evaldas Razulis:
"On the one hand, I am glad that I managed to score on my debut, but the result today is truly not flattering. Perhaps the opponent's goal from afar stunted our chances, it was scored from very far. After that, they pressed us, a second goal came, then a third. It was difficult to debut in the second half, but I'm glad I managed to make my mark. I got a good pass, headed the ball and managed to score. I could have scored again, there were half-chances.
The field was the same for both teams, but I can't remember playing in such conditions. The mud went up to the ankle. The conditions were truly very poor."
