Robert Prosinecki: I'm going to watch European Games with my children - INTERVIEW

Baku. 27 April. REPORT.AZ/ A head coach of Azerbaijani national football team, Robert Prosinecki gave an interview to Report Information Agency. 

- Predecessor Berti Vogts did not intend to talk about personal issues. However, you look sincere at this point. Do you satisfy with the conditions created for you and your family in Azerbaijan?

- I always speak sincerely. Not because I live and work here as a team's head coach. Me and my family feel very well and comfortable here. The children go to a good school and satisfy with the education. Both I and my wife like this country a lot. Baku is a beautiful city and Azerbaijan is a beautiful country. All of these are my frank words. I have been here for five months. I witness how the people try to help visitors. They are comprehensively sincere people both in a job and a social point of view.

- When you came here, firstly you stated that the psychological situation of the Azerbaijani team is not good because of four consecutive defeat. What were you able to change in for 5 months?

- During 5 months, we had two training camps. One of them took place before the match with Malta. We stayed together for 12 days and the main aim was to provide the players with the return of self-confidence. It seems to me that the team proved it. It was a difficult process. I have always said and now repeat that the players have potentials in Azerbaijan but they need to be trained well. There are young players and we will work with them. On June 12, we want to take the next step in the match with the Norwegian national team. Because the team returned the self-confidence. Although they did not do it completely, the footballers could cope with it. There was a big pressure in the match with Malta, so they won the match. It should be continued. One day, Azerbaijan will perform the highest level of play in football. I'm not saying that we will defeat Malta, Norway or Italy. At least, the big teams have to make every effort in order to win.

- Do not you think that capability of the national team will appear in the game with Norway?

- The team has a big problem. As he was injured, Eddy İsrafilov will not play in the match with Norway. Namig Alasgarov is also injured and will not recover till the match. Some of the footballers playing abroad, play without including a club and some of them play a little. Therefore, we have to think what players to invite. Let's see, what players from the younger age groups, will be able to help the national team. Norway's team is strong, not a weak opponent. A hard game wait for us. I have seen their match with Croatia. If we do not take into account the score, in general, the team play well. However, to have a strong opponent does not concern us, we are concentrating on our game. I am optimistic. I believe that we'll get the best result. I would like to have a friendly match with a strong team before the match with the team of Norway. On June 7, we will play with Serbia. This issue became exact. I wanted the team to play against a strong team so I chose Serbia. A lot of thing can be got in such games. One day, Azerbaijani national team will play football with big countries. Of course, it is not an easy. I see that there are good players in the lower age groups.

- Injuries are inevitable in football, but the team should have the backbone and members to complete it. Were you able to build the backbone of the team?

- That backbone could be seen in the game with Malta. A lot of things depend on the damage. You do not know how players will be. I would like to note that I established the backbone and now the young players will b invited to the team. In the first game, the team was under the influence. Of course, it's difficult to get out in the national team for the first time. However, we did it right in the match with Malta. In other words, besides experienced players, young footballers also played and demonstrate themselves.

- We can say that we do not have such a strong legionary player. Mahir Shukurov and Javid Imamverdiyev were removed from the club. What can you say about these two footballers and Kamran Aghayev who is close to play in Turkish Super League?

- I do not know how to answer this question. Mahir and Javid were removed from the clubs. Vagif Javadov plays for 5-10 minutes. It is not good situation, because our players should play. I have always said that it is important to have gaming experience. I hope that Eddie will recover and able to play as soon as possible. Nazarov will play in the main squad of "Karlsruhe". We do not have a problem about a goalkeeper. Because Kamran Aghayev appears to play in every match of "Kayserispor". Moreover, Selahet Aghayev is also in a good form in the "Inter". Then, we have young players as Namig Alasgarov. However, the bad side of the victory over Malta was Namig's injury. I have already chosen a few young players that will join the team in the future. I support the playing of footballers who have legionnaires' life.

-Did you feel the star disease in our footballers?

- I do not know, but I have heard. I always say that it is a great proud to be a player in the national team. One should play at the club, in order to be invited to the national team. Each star football player works on themselves and tries to play in the main staff. Only in this case he can be a player of the national team.

- On June 7, the team will play with Serbia and 5 days later with Norway. With a busy schedule, the national team was defeated by Croatia after the game with Italy. Taking into account the physical conditions of the players, do you consider that the match with Norway can be heavy defeat for the team?

- Big football countries and clubs play football every 2-3 days. We want to raise the level and the progress in football and have to get accustomed to it. There is a break for 5 days, and this time is sufficient to recover the full team. In September, we will play with a hard schedule. Others can manage it, what about us? It normal in football. We should reach the level that we can play football every three or five days. We should not make such excuses that we played for three days and are tired. The simplest thing is that we are just tired, however we will manage.

- The first European Games will start on the same day when the match with Norway will take place. Will you watch the games after returning from that match? Beach soccer competition will be held in the European Games, even you participated in the draw ceremony ...

- I will return to Baku. Because I am interested in the sport as a whole. I hope that we will come back with the victory from Norway and make the people happy.

- If the Azerbaijani athletes meet with the Croatian, who do you support?

- I live and work here. Azerbaijan is my second home. I hope, it will not happen. If happens, I will support Azerbaijan, of course. I do not want them to compete against each other(he is smiling). In what kind of sports are Croatian and Azerbaijani athletes likely to meet?

- Possibly, in water polo and volleyball ...

- Croatia is very strong in water polo. Even they won the world championship. Croatians won the European and Olympic championships in this field.

- Croatian rowers are also strong athletes ...

- I did not know it. I know that Croatians are strong in water polo. I cannot say anything exactly on rowing. Moreover, the Croats are good at handball too.

- Are you a fan of any other sport except football? I mean Croatian athletes ...

- If you are a footballer then you see everything as a football .. It's hard to me to answer this question. But I would say that I watch NBA basketball .. Of course, I watch big sporting events. Then I can realize what I do not know. Maybe I can be interested in something new?

- Will you watch the European Games till the end?

- I still cannot respond to it. We will see.

- What kind of sports will you watch mostly?

- I will take my children and go to watch the games. However, I cannot say what kind of sport it will be.

- What is your opinion on sports media? How do you feel about the media's attitude towards you?

-It is normal. Because when the team lost, all criticizes and when it wins, all become happy. I have no problem with journalists. I always talk to journalists openly and hope that they do not have a problem with me either. The thing that made me unhappy was that there was no question about the national team at the press conference held before the match with Malta. The main questions were about "Neftchi". I have not seen anything like it. Because the young footballers play. In my opinion, these questions raises more pressure on the team. Also, they asked about Nurlan Novruzov. I'm the head coach, It is normal if I do not agree with your opinion. However, everyone has their own opinion. I have not met such things in my practice...