The Macedonia national team face a new challenge in the UEFA Nations League on Saturday. After defeats by Switzerland and Slovenia, Goce Sedloski’s side will host Scotland in a match in which the desire for a positive response will be one of the national team’s main motivations.
At the pre-match press conference, head coach Sedloski once again confirmed his view that the national team is undergoing a rejuvenation process and that this process requires time.
„We have rejuvenated the national team and I will continue to do so. Let the criticism be directed at me. In agreement with the federation, I will continue with the process of creating new players. We want to create a new national team and I will see this process through to the end. It takes time; everything cannot happen overnight,“ Sedloski stressed.
The head coach emphasised that playing in League B brings different challenges and that Macedonia must adapt to the quality of its opponents, while at the same time not abandoning its own style of play.
„When I came, I knew what I was getting into and what kind of national teams we would be playing against. I work, watch, follow and know what I am doing. I want these boys to be satisfied and to make Macedonia happy. In the match against Slovenia, especially in the first half, we saw things that I can be satisfied with, and I want us to continue in that rhythm without sitting back,“ the head coach added.
As for Scotland, Sedloski expects a physically strong opponent that often uses long balls and direct attacks.
„Scotland are a national team that play with long balls and send a lot of balls into the penalty area. We must not accept their game, but rather neutralise it with our response. They have players from the Premier League, the Championship and Italy. We are ready to take the field, show character and play the way we know we can,“ Sedloski said.
Bojan Miovski sent a similar message. The Glasgow Rangers striker believes that Macedonia must show unity and achieve the desired result through collective play.
„Every period in the national team brings its own challenges. We are now at a point where we need to show unity. We did not achieve the results we expected, but now we need to show that we are a team. We can talk a lot, but we have to show everything on the pitch,“ Miovski said.
The Macedonia striker has great respect for Scotland, but believes that home advantage and a collective approach can be an important factor.
„Scotland are an excellent national team, they have quality players and we know where they play. We are playing at home and must show quality. We cannot rely on individual quality. If we are a collective, the results will return,“ Miovski said.
Jani Atanasov spoke in the same vein, highlighting the atmosphere in the dressing room and the commitment of the national-team players despite the two defeats.
„Of course there is dissatisfaction after two defeats, but since I have been part of the national team, I do not remember things ever being bad or any of the players failing to give their all. The atmosphere among us is excellent and we hope for a positive result. Our strength is the collective,“ Atanasov stressed.
Macedonia and Scotland will face each other on Saturday at 20:45 at the Todor Proeski National Arena in Skopje. The match will be refereed by France’s François Letexier.
