Mikhail Markhel: «I would like to end this tournament on a positive note»

Belarus national team head coach answered the questions of the media ahead of the upcoming matches vs Germany and Montenegro.

- Such games remain in the memory of both football players and coaches for life. Therefore, there is a certain excitement. I think that in the process of work, we must cope with this. Responsible final game, which sums up our performance in the qualifying round. I would like to end this tournament on a positive note in order to look with optimism into the future.

- What do you mean by a positive note?

- I would like to show a decent game. And the result is important, but to a greater extent we hope for a good solid game on our part. We understand that this is a top rival and they will need to win. We understand that it will be difficult for us, but we look up to the test with optimism.

- Are you afraid that many players will already have a holiday mood?

- I do not think that they will be in holiday mood. There are not many such matches in life. And the second thing is that the season has not ended yet and you need to keep yourself in good shape both physicaly and in psychologicaly. The fact that the fate of gold medals has not been decided yet is a positive factor for us. I believe that those guys whom we called for this training camp are professionals and will correctly understand the significance of this game.

- How should we play in order not to repeat the fate of the Estonians?

- In this game, discipline will decide a lot: how we will conduct the game, what we will allow, what we will not allow the opponent. It will be very difficult to defend the whole game, you need to counter attack, push the game away from your goal. We will strive to develop this in training and try to demonstrate it in the game.

- What conclusions did you make after the home match with Germany?

- Time has passed enough, they changed the tactical scheme. We assume so. It was good information for analysis, and we will show the guys a lot of material. There were a lot of good points in this game. We will focus on the positive aspects. There are also moments that need to be fixed and that need to be avoided in the next game. This is good help to prepare for the next game.

- Are you worried anout the condition of Kisliak and Nekhaichik, who did not play with Isloch?

- I think they didn't miss that much. Maybe it's even better that they come out rested, fresh. I do not see a big problem here. Moreover, I know that these guys are professionals; I worked with them for many years. In this regard, I do not see any particular problems.

- You said that it is good for the national team that «Dinamo-Brest» did not become the champion yesterday - did you mean that today you could have trouble with a good third of the team?

- This is psychology - when a team achieves a goal, then the mood, so to speak, is not working. Not because I do not want «Dinamo-Brest» to become a champion. Since we need to concentrate on the game with Germany - in this regard, I think the guys will keep themselves in athletic tone.

- Due to what the «Dinamo-Brest» made such a step forward?

- It is not one reason. A strong squad was picked up, experienced guys set a goal. This is an example that you can create teams that will fight for the championship. Well, you need to pay tribute to the leadership of the team. I am happy for the football club.

- Do you like the game the team shows?

- I would like to avoid this topic. They are on the champion's move, and when the games didn’t work out very well, they earned points. This is the guarantee that they are now leading and set to claim the championship title. It is impossible to go all season in one rhythm, on one courage. The ability to earn victory in difficult matches proves the class of the team.

- After the game with Holland, you noted that your players showed to much respect towards the opponent. How can they avoid this feeling against Germany?

- It's hard. There is a trait of mentality - until we are tied to the wall, something is hard for us. As practice shows, when pressed, we can be capable of much. We will try to slove this issue in conversations with the guys so that they adapt to this situation. We have a lot of experienced players, they must pass the fluids to the rest. Most of the players have had only severla matches of this type, but in my understanding, those guys who have passed this should play a role.

- What are the goals and objectives of the match against Montenegro?

- Any game is important to us. I am glad that we can play against Montenegro. We will need to see the guys who will not be involved to some extent. We are calling up 23 people, only 14 will be able to play with Germany. The rest, it turns out, are not participating. We will try to check these guys, give them a chance. In fact, this year there will no longer be such an opportunity.

- How are the preparations for the UEFA Nations League?

- In process. Since there are no official windows in February, we want to come to an agreement and make a training camp for the national team in February and play two friendly games. Now everything is under development, elaboration. We hope for an understanding from the clubs that will allow us to get together and play these two games. We really need this training camp for preparation.

- Will the matches be played in Belarus?

- We will not be able to play at home in the month of February. We are negotiating. Perhaps it will be Turkey.

- Denis Laptev scores and earns asissts in the championship. For the national team he has 21 matches - 0 goals. What is the reason?

- I myself was a striker and I understand Denis. In addition to goals, if he does not score, the attacker must create pressure, help in defense. In this regard, I have no complaints against Denis. And to make complaints about the fact that he does not score is stupid. Anyone who has gone through this knows that there are such periods - well, it is not working out at the moment. I still believe in him. I told him: «Either you will score with me, or you will not score at all». I see this determination, he wants to score this goal. He needs help and I will help him with all my strength. You need to have a little luck and faith. I believe in him and hope that he will not let me down.

- Why did you not call up Makas, who is also scoring in the championship?

- He showed himself well in recent games. We are considering him, but we decided to bet on the more experienced ones.

- You could not call up several players due to injuries. Coul you please comment on this situation?

- Yes, we have certain losses. This is Politevich - he had a cyst, he needs to have an operation. We really need him in the March games, the rehabilitation process after the operation will last for a month and a half, he asked us not to involve him in this training camp in order to have the operation and recover as soon as possible. We went to meet him in this regard. Max Ebong has and issue with inguinal rings and an operation is ahead. In the last game, Bakhar injured his ankle. The verdict is disappointing, perhaps until the end of the season. Savitski is also injured.

- Khatkevich was not in the final list. Is this Sulima's decision?

- Yes, this is our joint decision. I trust the goalkeeper coach. Egor is on the extended list, this time we decided to test Chernik. Such a decision on our part.

- Usually a friendly match is before the official game, but this time everything turned out the other way around. Not very good for you?

- No, on the contrary. I think this is for the best. We will be able to fulfill the strategic tasks of viewing people for the future. This is the last friendly game where we can watch and decide on the circle of candidates who will be preparing in February for the March games. Otherwise, we would have to prepare for Germany through this game, and here we carry out the task for the longer term.

- Many team players have birthdays on this segment - Zolotov, Skavysh, Naumov... Will you give them some freedom in this regard ?

- Freedom... Eat an extra piece of cake. I am not a supporter of closing the guys. They themselves must perfectly understand why they are here. And I had no reason not to trust them yet. Congratulations to the players, a birthday cake - nothing more. Moreover, we allow the children to stay with families after training. I think this is the best freedom. I had no unpleasant moments connected with this. I hope it will stay the same. You ussually need an eye and an eye on the young players. And here I have another category of football players, I trust them. I hope this will be mutual.

- The games against the German national team, given the history, are sometimes set up in a special way. Are you free from such ideological attitudes?

- Yes. I believe that time has passed, and ideology has changed, and the new generation, probably, no longer really understands what it is about. It was we who were brought up in the Soviet Union who clearly understood why this was important. Grandfathers, great-grandfathers, motherland, country ... I think now it will be a little inappropriate. Moreover, I know the attitude of the Germans firsthand, my daughter lives in Germany. There is no reason to recall those events. They, in turn, also remember them not very pleasantly.

- Does a possible change of the champion bring any pluses for the national team?

- I do not think that somehow I can specifically answer this question. Let's see on the selection process of the team. Championship means playing in the UEFA Champions League - for «Dinamo-Brest» it is a big plus and an incentive to raise good players to a higher level. If the team is at a high level, then our Belarusian football players will benefit. In this regard, it is necessary to adjust the limits so that as many Belarusians as possible are involved in the domestic championship games.

- Will you give homework for the football players for the winter?

- We cannot interfere with the club. In my vision, we should be in close contact with the coaches. This is a club prerogative. Therefore, the February training camp is important for us so that we can see who is in what condition and bring our tactical ideas to a greater extent. We need to ensure that the called up football players are in good physical tone. We need to know in what condition they are in order to conduct a good training camp. In this I see my task. And to give a task - in relation to colleagues this will be wrong.

- Shevchenko’s was not called upo due to sports criteria?

- Yes.

- And what about the call up of Sachivko?

- Yes. We always try to invite two people per position. In this regard, we have a certain gap. We wanted to call up an experienced player, because in a match with Germany a certain level of experience is necessary. We came to the conclusion that Sachivko will help us in this regard.