Mikhail Markhel: «A very important game for us»

Belarus national team head coach answered the questions of the media in the company of forward Maksim Skavysh ahead of the European Qualifiers match against Estonia.

Mikhail Markhel

- You are in similar conditions with your Estonian colleague – in June you were both head coaches of your U-21 teams and now you both made a step up. The Estonina coach sade that the peiority for him is the game against Belarus. What is your team's goal?

- I think it is a very important game for us too. We both have no points. We will try to change that in the near future. First of all it is a difficult phsycological moment. This is why the game is extremely important. We are in such a tournament situation that there is no chance of quaifying but we also have to think about prestige. It is a very important game for us. 

- What are the latest news from the team's camp?

- All players that arrived are preparing for the game and we are counting on all of them.

- Center-back Martynovich will not play due to injury. Is this a bad loss for your team?

- Off course, it is a bad thing for us – he is an important player for us and the captain of the team. I think that he have players that can replace him. I hope the players that are on the starting lineup will cope with the task.  

- What are the strengths of your opponent? Will the fact that they also have a new head coach influence the game?

- A change of the head coach always mobilizes the team. It is clear that a new head coach comes with new ideas. This brings new challenges in our preparation for the match but we will try to build from our game.

- How many matches of the Estonian team have you watched and how can you characterize their game?

-  We went through a number of games including matches of the UEFA Nations League and the European Qualifiers. They leave a positive impression. The team has it's leaders. Moreover Klavan from «Cagliari» has been called-up. We have information on the opponent. As far as the strong sides are concerned I would outline discipline. 

- Belarus has been very unsuccessful in Tallinn even though you had such star players as Belkevich, Khatskevich and Kulchi playing here at times. How can you explain that? 

- Every game is a different story. We need to look at every game separately. Itis hard for me to evaluate the previous matches. For every team there are «uncomfortable» cities, opponnets were it is hard to win. We want to beak this tradition.

Maksim Skavysh

- What will be the decisive factor tomorrow that will allow your team to win?

- I think like in all other sports we need luck. Plus all the players need to show their character and maximum capabilities. I think Belarus can win against Estonia.

- You play for BATE. How important is your club for all belarusian football?

- I think that the club is very important for all belarusian football. When the team plays in group stages of European club competitions solid football clubs come to Belarus and people attend football matches in numbers.  Plus we are talking about the prestige of the country. Football Belarus was in a way promoted by BATE. And then again the football players compete at a high level which is also very good for the national team.

- You made your debut here six years ago. Does this bring additional emotions in the course of your preparation for the upcoming match?

- I would'nt say that it brings positive emotions. When you come to a good stadium you always get positive emotions. Plus it is a game for the national team. I cann't say something special about the stadium but when I look at it I feel good emotions.