At today’s press-conference, Nikolche Noveski, Chedomir Janevski and Siniša Mihajlović shared their thoughts regarding the upcoming World Cup qualifier between Macedonia and Serbia.
“We must forget the game against Croatia. Our fans came in large numbers and we disappointed them, so tomorrow we must play better for them as well. We can’t let the same mistakes to happen again, so on the trainings we worked on the defence. Serbia played good against Belgium, but lost 3:0. That result for me doesn’t show us what was really happening on that game. They have a good team and who says that Serbia can’t beat Belgium on their return game? There is difference between Croatia and Serbia and it is that Serbia is more fluid in the attack and on the wings. Still, I am concentrated on our play and I won’t change things just because of our opponents. I’m planing to make some changes, but only because Pandev is suspended, Shikov has an injury and some other players are realy tired.” said Janevski.
Regarding the goalkeeper Martin Bogatinov, who make a terrible mistake when Croatia scored the game winning goal, Janevski declared: “It can happen to anyone. I can’t get a gun and shot all the players that make mistakes, otherwise I will have no team. Martin is a human as we all are. I can’t hide that all of the players were disappointed of that goal, but that doesn’t mean that Martin won’t be playing tomorrow. At the moment it’s very hard for him, I will have to see in what psychological condition he will be tomorrow. What is important is that we all have to give him our support.”
Captain Goran Pandev won’t be playing tomorrow as he has a yellow card suspension, but surprisingly he won’t even be on the stadium to support his teammates. Instead, he left for italy to join his Napoli. “Pandev is the captain and like all captains he has a right to talk to the referee and ask him about certain decisions. The referee was acting strange, instead of showing patience, he gave him a yellow card. I can’t blame Goran, if he doesn’t talk to referees, that he won’t be a real captain. We decided to let him leave as we want to maintain good relations with his Napoli. At the moment he is more needed there than here. He will watch our game, but on TV.” concluded Janevski.
As Pandev is suspended, tomorrow Nikolche Noveski will be Macedonian’s captain. “Tomorrow’s game will be a match between two wounded teams. Both our teams lost and will want to record a win. It will be hard, no doubt about that. The atmosphere in among our players is good and we are expecting the game.” said Noveski.
Serbian national team coach, Siniša Mihajlović is clear on one thing, his team is coming to Macedonia for the 3 points. “On every game we play for a win. There are 7 game left untill the end of the qualifications which means that nothing is lost. Macedonia have always been a dangerous team and tomorrow I’m expecting an open game. In my opinion is that it will be very important who will score the first goal. I will one more thing, I never prepare my team to play on a draw.”
Macedonia hosts Serbia tomorrow at 20.30 CET on the natiopnal Arena Philip II of Macedon in Skopje.