|
Candelas aims to keep Interviú on top |
|
Tuesday, 20 April 2010 03:32 |
 Interviú Madrid coach Jesús Candelas told UEFA.com that retaining the UEFA Futsal Cup was vital for his club but admitted semi-final opponents Araz Naxçivan are "an unknown quantity".
Intervi Madrid coach Jess Candelas told UEFA.com that retaining the UEFA Futsal Cup was vital for his club but admitted semi-final opponents Araz Naxivan are "an unknown quantity".
by Guillermo Garcafrom MadridShare Print Intervi want a fourth European title Intervi Madrid Published: Tuesday 20 April 2010, 10.32CETCandelas aims to keep Intervi on topIntervi Madrid coach Jess Candelas told UEFA.com that retaining the UEFA Futsal Cup was vital for his club but admitted semi-final opponents Araz Naxivan are "an unknown quantity".
Read moreThe only three-time UEFA Futsal Cup winners, holders Intervi Madrid are aiming to make it four this week in Lisbon.
Jess Candelas, the coach that oversaw their 2004 and 2006 triumphs, was reappointed to the helm earlier this season and told UEFA.com about the unknown quantity that is Azerbaijani semi-final opponents Araz Naxivan and the importance of the European title to the club.UEFA.com: What are your expectations going into this tournament? Jess Candelas: Well, what we want is to win it which we know is going to be extremely difficult.
It's a question of having the ability to do so and also knowing you can while always maintaining respect for your rivals.UEFA.com: What's your opinion of your semi-final opponents Araz Naxivan? Candelas: They're an unknown quantity; we do not know much about them.
We've been able to analyse their game against Kairat Almaty, but they've changed some players recently so we'll have to find out what they're about in the game itself.UEFA.com: If you had to pick out a danger man from Araz who would that be? Candelas: They've got several players of Brazilian origin.
They're all of a medium to high standard and although none of them are particularly exceptional, they've got solid defenders and a good pivot.
What is clear is that they are dangerous, as many of them helped Azerbaijan to reach the semi-finals of the last UEFA European Futsal Championship.UEFA.com: Intervi are one of the favourites.
Would anything other than winning the title be a bad result for the team?Candelas: Yes.
After having not enjoyed much success on the domestic front lately, our expectations are to win this championship.
The UEFA Futsal Cup represents something on a big scale because of the knock-on effects it has on a sporting level and also a financial one.
We have to demonstrate that our status as favourites in this competition is justified.UEFA.com: Do you think that playing at home in front of 12,000 fans gives an advantage to SL Benfica in the fight for the title? Candelas: Benfica have a lot riding on these finals.
Having said that I don't think that playing in this particular arena is such a big advantage for them.
Where they normally play their home games the supporters are a lot more on top of the action making it a place that's far more intimidating in terms of atmosphere.
Where we are going to play there is more distance between players and fans and the noise generated is not the same.UEFA.com:How do you rate Benfica's opponents, Luparense C/5? Candelas: If they are capable of beating ElPozo Murcia it's obvious they are a good team.
They also have a lot of Brazilian players but with the added bonus that they play in a very competitive Italian league.
This is their big opportunity, although like us they're not enjoying their best form on the domestic front.
Related ItemsLisbon finals tickets on sale nowIntervi meet Araz, Benfica face LuparenseIntervi MadridBorisov assesses Araz's trip into unknownCandelas' tactical guideFutsal Cup finals programme The UEFA Futsal Cup represents something on a big scaleJess CandelasUEFA.com 1998-2010.
|
Argentina
Brazil
China PR
Cuba
Czech
Eqypt
Guatemala
Italy
Iran
Japan
Libya
Paraguay
Portugal
Russia
Spain
Soloman
Thailand
Ukraine
USA
Uruguay
