Drita aims for victory against Celje at “Fadil Vokrri”

Victory against Slovenia’s Celje is possible only by playing as a united group. Drita coach Zekirija Ramadani said this on Wednesday at a media conference ahead of the Conference League knockout phase play-off match.

The first match between Drita and Celje will be played on Thursday at 21:00 at the “Fadil Vokrri” stadium in Pristina.

“Drita must not stray from its identity. We always have our motivation and objective as a team in front of us. Whenever we have functioned collectively, we have been successful. We have not relied on any individual, but on the collective. After the match with Drenica, with only three days in between, we spoke with the footballers, conducted an analysis, and I told them that if we rely on the group, we will make things difficult for our opponents. We must rely on one another on the field. We must give our maximum. We are here, where many teams dream of being. Even if defeat comes, we must lose with our heads held high; we must not come out looking like cowards,” Ramadani said. 

The Skopje-born coach says Celje is a strong team, but progressing further is not impossible. 

“As much as we know and are able, we have taken measures; we have prepared physically, psychologically and tactically. As a footballer, I spent five or six years in Slovenia during pre-season training. Slovenes are reserved. I watched their last five matches: two were with the former coach and three with the current coach. There is no difference. They play the same style of football. We have tried to identify some of their strengths and weaknesses. We will defend against the entire Celje team. We have tried to prepare the team, and it will be difficult, but qualification is by no means impossible. We must make use of our home ground. I hope we have fans and take advantage of playing at home. I hope we go into the next leg with an advantage, even if it is a minimal one. Mesa, Manaj and Broja are absent. But I have confidence in the others and believe their absence will not be noticeable,” Ramadani said.

Drita finished the league phase of the Conference League in 20th place with seven points.

Coach Ramadani responded to Milot Avdyli over a statement he made after the draw for the knockout phase play-offs. 

Celje’s Avdyli had said he had some unfinished business with Drita, referring to the defeats he suffered while he was a Trepça ’89 footballer.

“I know Milot as a footballer; I don’t know how well he knows me. I never motivate my team or my player to seek revenge; there is no revenge in football. If he has lost twice, there can be a third and a fourth time too; nothing happens, it is not the end of the world, football goes on. If he beats us, I will congratulate him on the victory. He simply needs to focus on his career. That footballer has a lot of quality. I hope he continues his negative run against Drita,” Ramadani said.

Defender Raddy Ovouka also described Celje as a strong team.

Ovouka is one of the key players for Kosovo’s reigning champions. He said he was happy to have the full confidence of coach Zekirija Ramadani. 

“We will play against a big team. We have prepared to the fullest for tomorrow’s match. We are ready for that game. It has been very important for everyone to play in the Conference League. We are preparing for the game; we have worked hard, and that is why we are here today. I will give my best. I am happy that the coach has confidence in me, and I will give my best. We are all ready for tomorrow’s game,” Ovouka said.

Drita is in third place with 35 points in the Kosovo Super League. It is one point behind Ballkani and Pristina, who occupy first and second place.

Meanwhile, Celje lead the Slovenian top-flight table convincingly. They are in first place with 50 points. Maribor and Koper follow with 38 points each.