Ramadani says Drita’s first step toward further success is victory

Drita coach Zekirija Ramadani has spoken about the historic achievement of the club he manages. But he has said they are hungry for further success. Victory is Drita’s next objective. Champions Drita will face KuPS in the first round of the league phase of the Conference League. It is the first time Drita has competed in a UEFA club competition. 

Drita will play the match against the Finnish team on Thursday at 18:45. 

“To achieve a result, you have to play good football. We know what we have done to get this far. It is not an easy task; it is difficult and an additional motivation for us, as this is the first time we have reached this stage, and the same goes for our opponent. I know this is a historic achievement for our team, but I know that we can, must and have a moral and professional obligation not to be satisfied, but to seek further success. The first step toward achieving further success is to start with a win. It will be a difficult match; we have a good opponent facing us, but this is our main motivation,” Ramadani said at a press conference on Wednesday.

He described the match in Tampere, Finland, as difficult. But he expects a win from his players.

“It will be a difficult match, as both teams are making their debuts and both teams want to win. We have to be careful, defend well and attack with fewer players, because the important thing is not to concede a goal. In the Super League we have conceded goals, and this has concerned us. Today, football is not a sport in which the best always win; luck also plays a part. We respect every opponent until the match starts; then, once it begins, we have no respect at all—we want to beat them, crush them and win. Possession of the ball must be our weapon,” Ramadani said, among other things.

In the Conference League, Drita will also face Shelbourne, Shkëndija, AZ Alkmaar and Rayo Vallecano. 

Coach Ramadani says Drita is aiming to qualify for the knockout phase.