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As Lithuania's national team approaches the friendly match with Mali, which will take place in Paris on February 6, the official LFF website futbolas.lt interviewed coach Vitalijus Stankevičius, who will be substituting head coach Algimantas Liubinskas in France.
Coach, what is causing the most concern ahead of the upcoming match?
- First and foremost, injuries. The loss of Ž.Karčemarskas from the lineup is a big blow. Of course, we will also greatly miss other injured players such as D.Česnauskas, E.Jankauskas, N.Barasa. It's very unfortunate that they won't be playing.
The second worrying thing is the lack of practice. In the ongoing championships, only the Lithuanian players from "Hearts" and T.Danilevičius and M.Stankevičius playing in Italy are actively playing. Meanwhile, almost all of Mali's national team players are currently playing in the championships of England, Spain, or France.
Because of the need for playing practice, this time we didn't invite goalkeeper Paulius Grybauskas to the team. After sitting on the bench for "Ekranas" for many years, the player now has the opportunity to establish himself in the main lineup of a Romanian club. We didn't want to interfere, let him establish himself, as playing practice is very important.
-Do you have enough information about the upcoming opponents?
- Unfortunately, we don't have video material, we have almost no information. Only what can be found online. It's a shame that they still haven't sent their player list (the conversation took place before the Mali Football Association sent the squad, which they did on Wednesday afternoon - author's note). Of course, almost all of their footballers are playing in European championships, there will practically be no players from their national league. That says a lot.
- What are the goals set for the national team in these matches?
- Of course, the most important thing for us is to prepare for the official matches, but we are not going to Paris to lose. Just like we didn't go to lose in Albania or Malta. We are taking young guys, but they are determined. We hope they will be determined this time as well. We will strive to win the match.
Lithuania's national team can be called a youth team. Kavaliauskas, Kalonas, Miceika, Mikoliūnas, others. It is pleasant that they all transitioned from U-21 to the senior team and adapted successfully. They are nudging the "old-timers" out, and that's good: the "old-timers" won't play forever.
-How do you feel yourself, perhaps in a slightly unexpected role as head coach?
- I don't make a big deal out of it. Nothing has changed. We coordinate everything with A. Liubinskas, he is still the head coach. Modern technology allows us to always keep in touch. We wish him a quick recovery after the operation. It's great that the match will be broadcasted live on "5 kanalas", so the coach staying in Lithuania will be able to watch the match.
Meanwhile, in the Mali national team, there are only two players playing in their own country, eleven players from France, as well as legionnaires from England, Italy, Spain, Germany, Greece, Portugal, Russia, and other countries.
Stars like the top scorer in the Spanish league Sevilla's attacking leader Frederic Kanoute, as well as Mahamadou Diarra representing Madrid's "Real" club in La Liga, and former Liverpool defender Djimi Traore playing for English club Portsmouth, have also been called up to the national team.
There will certainly not be only the "Liverpool" defender Mohamed Sissoko among the Malian ranks, who suffered an injury last November in the English League Cup and has not yet fully recovered.
Mali national team lineup:
Goalkeepers: Mamadou Sidibe ("Kerkyra", Greece) Soumaila Diakite (Bamako "Stade Malien") Fousseyni Tangara ("Amiens", France)
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