V. Urbonas, who received a slap from the Spanish youth: “I didn’t expect us to play so badly” | sports

The Lithuanian soccer team has played against Spain six times so far and in five of those matches the difference between the teams was not more than two goals, and once it even managed to reach zero draws.

It seems that such results can be forgotten, because on Tuesday night in the Madrid suburb of Leganés, the Lithuanians failed to face even Spain, which launched a dozen debutants and was left without the brightest stars.

While still on their way to Madrid, the Lithuanians hoped to fight Louis Enrique’s troops in preparation for the European Championship, but after their captain Sergio Busquets passed the COVID-19 test, the Spanish sent their national team into isolation and the newly arrived European was taken away. Youth Championship in Leganés.

The Lithuanians didn’t like that swing, but it could at least light the hope of fighting more seriously with opponents who rarely shoot. Unfortunately for FC, Hugo Gullaimonas was injured as the game became more physical and he had to leave the field.

After three minutes, an incisive pass through the middle gave Abelio Ruizo the opportunity to increase the lead for Tomas Švedkauskas, who did not disappoint.

“Of course, we should probably congratulate the Spanish team on a good match, with a well-deserved victory. As for our national team, I really did not expect us to play such a poor match, – after the defeat, the national team coach admitted Lithuanian, coach Valdas Urbonas. – Firstly, without psychological disposition, without desire and without discomfort in the square. Clearly, it was difficult to contrast something technically and quickly with a fast-paced team. We lagged behind in all components and it felt cool “.

Reuters / Photo by Scanpix / Triumph of Juan Miranda

The Spanish, who had arrived in Lithuania, had just played the Eurocup, where they descended to the semifinals and took fourth place. Urbon emphasized to the Spanish that they have a growing generation of talent.

“The achievements of the Spanish team and their last game in the Eurocup have shown that this is a quality team and that it has a great change. We analyzed, we looked, we talked about how to cover up the strengths of Spanish, but we could not put it into practice. That is why we have such a painful result, ”said the Lithuanian national team strategist.

After a painful defeat, V. Urbonas pointed at the early missed goal, after which the Lithuanians could not recover.

“The first goals have become a bad tradition. We talk a lot about the start of the game, you have to be especially careful, not make mistakes and not reach the goal. When you miss a goal, you fall into a psychological well, said the strategist. – Then it becomes much more difficult to chase and organize the game.

We plan to defend more. I wanted the defense to be more organized, but at certain moments we collided, opening spaces, those areas that the Spanish were taking advantage of a lot and creating situations at our doors. The first half hour was really bad. We were only able to remain match observers, but unfortunately we were unable to create an equivalent match. That is why we have suffered a painful defeat. “

Photo by Sigismund Gedvila / 15min / Valdas Urbonas

The next game will be played by the Lithuanian team in September, when they will play for the World Cup team. The Lithuanians will have up to three games in less than a week: against Northern Ireland (September 2), Bulgaria (September 5) and Italy (September 8).