Comments from Lokomotiv head coach Mirko Yelichich following the match against Qizilqum.
— It was an unpleasant and difficult match. We have become accustomed to playing against teams like this. You have to study every style of football. We were unable to play the way we wanted today. We did not show our true level in the first half. Perhaps it was a matter of our mentality. Our opponents, meanwhile, made a very strong start and increased the tempo after scoring.
There were not many clear-cut chances because both teams closed down the spaces. We could also have conceded following the opponents’ counterattacks. We will analyse this match. Every game is difficult at the moment because teams are fighting for their positions in the table and trying to achieve their objectives. That is why teams are rarely having easy matches.
— Did you expect Qizilqum to play this way? If it is not a secret, what tactical approaches did you intend to use to break through their defence?
— I watched their match against Neftchi. Qizilqum are a very adaptable team that rely heavily on pace. We knew we would have to play a completely different style of football against them.
Today, the fact that the pitch had not been cut made things a little more difficult for us. The ball moved very slowly. I do not know whether that was intentional. Perhaps this is another detail that deserves attention. If we are trying to raise the standard of the Super League, we need to pay attention to details like these. Conditions like that simply do not help football develop.
We wanted to move the ball faster and play high-tempo football, but the condition of the pitch worked against us.