The victory 2: 1 away and 5: 2 overall opened the way for the Lithuanian champions to the second stage of the selection and provided opportunities to play in all three UEFA club tournaments this season.
It is true that the people of Žalgiris could not celebrate the victory with their most loyal fans – since guests are not given tickets, the trip to Northern Ireland had to be exchanged for a duel watch in Vilnius.
“It’s fun for the team, for all our fans, for the fans waiting in Lithuania. We are very happy that we will be able to play more than one match at home in the atmosphere that was in the first match in Vilnius. He wanted to give more such holidays to Lithuania. We are glad that we can move to the next stage and look forward, ”said S. Mikoliūnas.
“The first stage is very important because we have a goal. We want to get to the group stage. Even the Champions League is not impossible. We have a fighting spirit, we won at home and on the go. We showed a good mood, “O. Onzi was happy.
Imago / Scanpix nuotr./Saulius Mikoliūnas
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The matches themselves were not easy – Žalgiris had to finish them without two players eliminated. The captain of Vilnius praised the teammates that they managed to save the victorious result.
“We got a ‘fun’, nervous match. From the very first minutes, the Linfield team at home was completely different, lively, energetic, tried to attack, but we defended ourselves in a disciplined manner. Succeeded in scoring goals. The ball bounced well for me, it was enough to be in the right place at the right time. I did well and everything. We prepared for that in training and it paid off. That second goal was a “deadly stab” for them. Hope returned to them when our one player was kicked out. But I think that the team coped with the psychological tension perfectly, we withstood solidly to the end, we maintained the same result, ”said S. Mikoliūnas.
VIDEO: Žalgiris captain Saulius Mikoliūnas’ comment after the Champions League match in Belfast.
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O. Onazi also mentioned the change of cover as one of the obstacles, and named the tactical plan as an important factor: “Good match. We were preparing for a difficult duel because it is played on a natural lawn, unlike ours. We chose good tactics and game plan for this match. We are happy with the victory, saddened by it, we received two red cards. Thank God we scored two goals in the first half. That’s the most important.”
The Nigerian goal was slightly disturbed by the received warning. According to the player, there were no bad intentions in his celebration.
“This is my first goal in the Champions League selection, that’s what I wanted. I hope to score more. After the goal, I imitated a call to a wife who is in Nigeria. However, the referee saw the provocation of the rival fans. I got a yellow card. What will you do, ”the security guard explained.
VIDEO: Žalgiris is protected by Ogenyi Onazi’s comment after the Champions League match in Belfast.
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The people of Žalgiris will start the second stage in March next Tuesday, July 20. guests with Budapest Ferencvarosi. The team response match will take place on July 27th. In Vilnius.
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