Courtesy: UEFA.com


Candelas aims to keep Interviú on top

Tuesday 20 April 2010

Interviú Madrid coach Jesús Candelas told UEFA.com that retaining the UEFA Futsal Cup was vital for his club but admitted semi-final opponents Araz Naxçivan are "an unknown quantity".

by Guillermo Garcíafrom Madrid

The only three-time UEFA Futsal Cup winners, holders Interviú Madrid are aiming to make it four this week in Lisbon. Jesús Candelas, the coach that oversaw their 2004 and 2006 triumphs, was reappointed to the helm earlier this season and told UEFA.com about the unknown quantity that is Azerbaijani semi-final opponents Araz Naxçivan and the importance of the European title to the club.

UEFA.com: What are your expectations going into this tournament?

Jesús Candelas: Well, what we want is to win it which we know is going to be extremely difficult. It's a question of having the ability to do so and also knowing you can while always maintaining respect for your rivals.


UEFA.com: What's your opinion of your semi-final opponents Araz Naxçivan?

Candelas: They're an unknown quantity; we do not know much about them. We've been able to analyse their game against Kairat Almaty, but they've changed some players recently so we'll have to find out what they're about in the game itself.


UEFA.com: If you had to pick out a danger man from Araz who would that be?

Candelas: They've got several players of Brazilian origin. They're all of a medium to high standard and although none of them are particularly exceptional, they've got solid defenders and a good pivot. What is clear is that they are dangerous, as many of them helped Azerbaijan to reach the semi-finals of the last UEFA European Futsal Championship.


UEFA.com: Interviú are one of the favourites. Would anything other than winning the title be a bad result for the team?

Candelas: Yes. After having not enjoyed much success on the domestic front lately, our expectations are to win this championship. The UEFA Futsal Cup represents something on a big scale because of the knock-on effects it has on a sporting level and also a financial one. We have to demonstrate that our status as favourites in this competition is justified.


UEFA.com: Do you think that playing at home in front of 12,000 fans gives an advantage to SL Benfica in the fight for the title?

Candelas: Benfica have a lot riding on these finals. Having said that I don't think that playing in this particular arena is such a big advantage for them. Where they normally play their home games the supporters are a lot more on top of the action making it a place that's far more intimidating in terms of atmosphere. Where we are going to play there is more distance between players and fans and the noise generated is not the same.


UEFA.com: How do you rate Benfica's opponents, Luparense C/5?

Candelas: If they are capable of beating ElPozo Murcia it's obvious they are a good team. They also have a lot of Brazilian players but with the added bonus that they play in a very competitive Italian league. This is their big opportunity, although like us they're not enjoying their best form on the domestic front.






Courtesy: UEFA.com


Borisov assesses Araz's trip into unknown

Tuesday 20 April 2010

Araz Naxçivan will be underdogs against holders Interviú Madrid in Friday's semi-finals but Vitaliy Borisov believes the Azerbaijan side can benefit from their low profile.

by Erkin Ibragimov from Baku

Azerbaijan made a real breakthrough when they reached the UEFA European Futsal Championship semi-finals in January, but the club that made up the bulk of the squad and is also coached by Alesio, Araz Naxçivan, had already reached that stage of the UEFA Futsal Cup. They take on holders Interviú Madrid in Lisbon on Friday and Vitaliy Borisov, a key man for club and country, discusses Araz's chances with UEFA.com.

UEFA.com: Have Araz already fulfilled their aims by reaching the semi-finals?

Vitaliy Borisov: So far we have reached the goals we set for ourselves before the main and elite rounds. Now, in the finals, everything starts from scratch for us. We understand that it will be much more difficult for us in Portugal than it was in Croatia or Baku [for the main and elite rounds].


UEFA.com: Are you happy with the draw?

Borisov: Well, since we are up against the reigning UEFA Futsal Cup champions, you can hardly say that draw was kind to us, but are there any weak teams at this stage?


UEFA.com: What do you know about Interviú?

Borisov: They are Spain's best club, the UEFA Futsal Cup holders. I believe we know more about them than they know about us and that is an advantage. I know Interviú have a number of Brazilian and Spanish internationals but I haven't seen any of their games yet. I am sure the coaches will show them to us before the match.


UEFA.com: Have you come up against Spanish opposition at club or national-team level?

Borisov: To tell the truth I have never played against the Spanish, and it makes the Interviú game even more interesting to me. They also have a lot of Brazilian players so we can imagine their style of play.


UEFA.com: Which match was more difficult, the 4-4 draw against MNK Potpiæan 98 in the main round or 4-3 win against Kairat Almaty in the elite round when you scored an important goal?

Borisov: The Kairat match was of course tighter, not only because they have classy players who have played at a very high level. In Croatia we were sure of the qualification before the Potpiæan game and took to the pitch a bit too relaxed. In Baku both us and Kairat approached the game virtually level though a draw was enough for us to go through to the finals. We won and made a packed stadium of Azerbaijani fans happy. To score in such an important match at your home stadium gives you a special feeling.


UEFA.com: How did the team change after Alesio took charge?

Borisov: First of all we started to be more aware tactically. His faith in tactics is what distinguishes the Brazilian from the others. You can clearly see it from the example of Araz and Azerbaijan.


Posted by Luca Ranocchiari --> luca.ranocchiari@futsalplanet.com