We will rediscover our form and start the season well
Saturday, June 29, 2024
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Shakhtar defender Irakli Azarov about the success of the Georgia national team at Euro 2024, conditions at the training camp and ambitions for the new season
– Irakli, before we talk about the training camp, I want to ask you about the Georgia national team at Euro 2024. What can you say about the performances of your compatriots at Euro and are you proud of them?
– Of course, I am happy! Actually, the whole country was waiting for us to finally qualify for the European Championship for the first time... And we see that the footballers play with their heart and soul, for the people. I think they deserved to advance to the Round of 16, they played all three matches very confidently. They won the hearts of many people, that is why even the foreign fans are starting to root for them and talk about them. So, of course, I am incredibly happy with the guys’ performances in the tournament and wish them luck in the showdown with Spain in the Round of 16.
– What impressed you the most during the performances of Georgians at the European Championship?
– Honestly, there was nothing too surprising, because I know the guys, their strength and desire. I am in touch with them every day. I believed that they would do everything to qualify from the group.
– You obviously keep in touch with Giorgi Gocholeishvili. What does he tell about the atmosphere and his emotions from being at Euro 2024?
– Yes, we talked yesterday. Of course, the team have extraordinary emotions, everyone is in a good mood. This is understandable, because incredible history is being written in the last few days, and I am happy too. The most important thing is that every day the guys do everything necessary to make our fans happy and raise the country’s profile.
– Tell us how the training camp is going, what are you working on?
– Now we are working mostly on strength. The focus is on running, tactical practice. I think that it will be a little difficult for us during the first two weeks, but we will rediscover our form and start the season well.
– You missed the first training session. Why? What bothered you?
– Nothing. A small injury bothered me, but now everything is fine, I am ready for the first match.
– How did the test go for you, because you took it the next day and not together with the team? Tell us about this test. Was it difficult for you personally?
– Yes, it was somewhat difficult. It is hard to take such tests after a month-long break, but we trained for this at home, had programmes... We worked a little anyway, and everyone passed the test well.
– In Slovenia, the weather is changeable, however, suitable for football. How can you assess the conditions for the summer training camp?
– In my opinion, there is a great atmosphere for the team, nice fields here, we have everything for recovery, training sessions, games. As for the weather, it is a bit changeable, but everything else is perfect.
– The team will play the first friendly match against Sarajevo. What do you know about this team?
– One of my friends, Guliashvili, plays for Sarajevo. I know that it is a very hard-working and unyielding team, but we will still do everything to win, because we want to be winners in every game.
– What is the most important thing for you personally during the training camp and what tasks do you set for yourself?
– First, we need to prepare well physically to get back in shape. So now we are mostly working on that, on breathing... I think that everything will be fine in a week.
– Tell us about your ambitions for the next season.
– As always, the ambitions are the highest: the championship, the Cup... We remember the previous Champions League, our good performance, the victory over Barcelona. This time we want to qualify from the group and advance as far as possible.
– Of course, I am happy! Actually, the whole country was waiting for us to finally qualify for the European Championship for the first time... And we see that the footballers play with their heart and soul, for the people. I think they deserved to advance to the Round of 16, they played all three matches very confidently. They won the hearts of many people, that is why even the foreign fans are starting to root for them and talk about them. So, of course, I am incredibly happy with the guys’ performances in the tournament and wish them luck in the showdown with Spain in the Round of 16.
– What impressed you the most during the performances of Georgians at the European Championship?
– Honestly, there was nothing too surprising, because I know the guys, their strength and desire. I am in touch with them every day. I believed that they would do everything to qualify from the group.
– You obviously keep in touch with Giorgi Gocholeishvili. What does he tell about the atmosphere and his emotions from being at Euro 2024?
– Yes, we talked yesterday. Of course, the team have extraordinary emotions, everyone is in a good mood. This is understandable, because incredible history is being written in the last few days, and I am happy too. The most important thing is that every day the guys do everything necessary to make our fans happy and raise the country’s profile.
– Tell us how the training camp is going, what are you working on?
– Now we are working mostly on strength. The focus is on running, tactical practice. I think that it will be a little difficult for us during the first two weeks, but we will rediscover our form and start the season well.
– You missed the first training session. Why? What bothered you?
– Nothing. A small injury bothered me, but now everything is fine, I am ready for the first match.
– How did the test go for you, because you took it the next day and not together with the team? Tell us about this test. Was it difficult for you personally?
– Yes, it was somewhat difficult. It is hard to take such tests after a month-long break, but we trained for this at home, had programmes... We worked a little anyway, and everyone passed the test well.
– In Slovenia, the weather is changeable, however, suitable for football. How can you assess the conditions for the summer training camp?
– In my opinion, there is a great atmosphere for the team, nice fields here, we have everything for recovery, training sessions, games. As for the weather, it is a bit changeable, but everything else is perfect.
– The team will play the first friendly match against Sarajevo. What do you know about this team?
– One of my friends, Guliashvili, plays for Sarajevo. I know that it is a very hard-working and unyielding team, but we will still do everything to win, because we want to be winners in every game.
– What is the most important thing for you personally during the training camp and what tasks do you set for yourself?
– First, we need to prepare well physically to get back in shape. So now we are mostly working on that, on breathing... I think that everything will be fine in a week.
– Tell us about your ambitions for the next season.
– As always, the ambitions are the highest: the championship, the Cup... We remember the previous Champions League, our good performance, the victory over Barcelona. This time we want to qualify from the group and advance as far as possible.