Mikhail Markhel: «I am glad that we have this match»

Belarus national team head coach accompanied by midfielder Vladislav Klimovich answered the questions of the media ahead of the upcoming match against Montenegro.

- What are the main tasks for the upcoming match?

- I am glad that we have come to an agreement and that we have this match. This is the last opportunity to check our nearest reserve and candidates. At the same time, we set the task of playing some kind of game connections and checking out the game that we want to see in the play-offs.

- Is everyone ready to play?

- Unfortunately, we have certain losses. Aleksandr Gutor and Yuri Kovalev were injured and will not be able to take part in the upcoming match.

- Vlad, how are you preparing for the game? In your personal ranking, where is the Montenegro team?

- Any game for the national team of Belarus is primarily a big occasion. Especially at my age and considering the fact that I did not play a lot of games for the national team. Therefore, the mood is only upbeat. And the question about the rating - I probably haven’t played such big matches so much, so, of course, this game will be interesting for me, with a good, strong opponent.

- Vlad, Marco Simic and Boris Kopitovich are both on the opponents team list. Is it possible to say that for you it will be a small game of the Belarusian championship against BATE Borisov?

- Probably you cannot put it that way. After all, they will play with another 9 people, with whom I have never played. Of course, when you play against the players from your championship - it is interesting. For you, these players are known, you try to play against them, maybe even with redoubled energy .

- Mikhail, do you remember the game with Yugoslavia in the early 90s at this stadium?

- I remember I played here. That game is very pleasant for me. Fate said that I was here again. A lot has changed. To be honest, there is a little nostalgia even about how fast time flies. I am very pleased to recall those with whom I played here. Friendly people. I remember with warmth the time when I was here.

- What do you expect from tomorrow's match? What do you expect from the March matches of the UEFA play-offs?

- Once again I repeat that this is the most important match for us in terms of preparation for the play-offs. We simultaneously need to show a solid performance and see the people, and this is our last chance to play in such an environment at the level of national teams. I hope though we will also be able to organise a training camp in February. Moreover, the last game of the season, I would like to finish on a major note.

- What are your memories of Podgorica and which of those players do you remember?

- I remember a lot. Our captain was Bozhevich, very fond memories of coach Zhivadinovich, forward Drobnyak. There was a very good team. There were no special conditions, for me it was the first experience abroad. It was there that I understood how to train, set goals and achieve them. When we stopped at the hotel, I saw the corridor and remembered how we could train in the corridors when there was no weather. For the current generation, this is nonsense, but that is what we did.