Besiktas – Veszprém pregame statements

The Champions League restarts for the MVM Veszprém at 5 pm on Saturday. The Hungarian champion is going to play against Besiktas in Istanbul. The game will be broadcasted live by Sport1. We asked head coach Xavi Sabaté, Christian Zeitz, Andreas Nilsson and Mirko Alilovic about this upcoming match.

 

 

Xavi Sabate: We expect a very tough game after a two months long break in the Champions League. In the last weeks we were preparing mostly for this competition but we have been able to train with full squad only for a short time. Our players with smaller injuries have been recovered but nevertheless this upcoming game will be difficult. The Besiktas has been improving continuously during this season. They have some excellent players like the ex-Vardar playmaker Pribak or the very strong and smart Turkish pivot Özbahar. Beside them they have good goalkeepers and a very strong 6-0 defense. I am sure it will not be easy for us.

 

 

 

Christian Zeitz: This will be the first game when our team will be really together because our earlier injured players and László Nagy will be ready to play again. We are going to return to the Champions League which means the expectations will be even higher for us, however we are going to play away. I think this game will be hard from several aspects but I hope we will not have problems and easily bounce back to the rhythm of CL. We would like to come back home with a victory, of course.

 

 

Andreas Nilsson: I am waiting for the return to Champions League. I expect a tough game in Istanbul but our goal is nothing but getting the two points. The Besiktas plays well especially at home, all of their guests had difficulties earlier especially at scoring. But I think we was preparing well in this week and we have good chances for the victory against them.

 

 

Mirko Alilovic: The Champions League is back to our life, we are going to play against Besiktas on Saturday. We all know their every home match was close in this group so far, so we must be careful. We must start the game with 100% focus and it would be good if we could break the game at the beginning in order to have easier job in its remaining part. But if we give them the chance to play their own game then we will have difficulties because they have some players with big CL experience who will be able to take advantage of it. But if we start the game as we must and play like we are able to then we will not have any problem.

 

Photos: Zsolt Melczer