Bessone: We Must Stay Positive and Believe

We have another opportunity ahead of us to secure a victory with the support of our fans. On Sunday at 18:00, we welcome Rudeš to Opus Arena in Matchday 11 of the SuperSport HNL. Our team is preparing for its third consecutive home match, with a clear desire to turn the good work done during the week into three points.

Ahead of the match, Federico Bessone says that we need to maintain our belief in the team and improve the details that can decide a match. He also reflected on what we can do better after the match against Gorica.

I don't agree that the players weren't ready for the pressure of achieving better results during this run of home matches. I would rather say that some small details cost us and we were punished for them. We need to work on that. We weren't aggressive enough in the first half against Gorica, but after conceding, we had plenty of chances, although the ball just wouldn't go in. The fact is that Gorica put the ball in the net three times, but those were offside situations, not the result of their well-worked moves, but of our mistakes. Once we solve those problems, the wins will come again. We must stay positive and believe that we will get the points on Sunday, said Bessone.

Working on Solutions Against a Low Block

During preparations, we also worked on solutions against teams that come to Opus Arena focusing on defence and opportunities from counterattacks.

Opponents who come here to play against us sit in a low block, waiting for our mistakes and opportunities for quick transitions. The teams in the HNL have quality and know how to take advantage of that. We've analysed where we're making mistakes and what we need to improve. These aren't opponents like those at the top of the table. They generally come here to defend and wait for their chances on the counterattack. Both the team and I have to adapt to all of that,explained the White and Blues' head coach.

Our young team gains experience with every match. Bessone believes that with hard work and patience, we can become better and more confident in our play.

The boys are good and they need time. Even when I personally point out their mistakes, I have to remind myself that these are young players aged 17, 18 and 19, and that they still have a lot to go through and experience. We also had a bit of luck in some matches that we played very well, when we were fortunate enough to score, such as Jakupović's goal against Lokomotiva right at the end or Ježić's opportunistic goal against Slaven Belupo. That's simply how football is. But mistakes have to be pointed out. We're a young team and we can improve those things and reach a higher level, he added.

Preparing for Different Scenarios

The coaching staff analysed Rudeš and prepared the team for different situations we may face on Sunday.

I've watched their last two matches, as well as some earlier ones. Now the question is what system they will play and with which line-up. They also had a red card against Rijeka, so we'll see who they field. We've worked on several different scenarios and carried out a good analysis of what kind of opponent they are when they have possession, as well as how they react without the ball. The league is very evenly matched. It's clear that we'll have to be aggressive, press and look for the best solutions in our play.

Fresh Energy in the Line-up

Bessone also announces changes to the line-up. Barić showed against Gorica what he can bring to the team, while the coach expects more aggression from our forwards and wingers.

I can't reveal the line-up, but what I can say now is that there will be a lot of changes. I can see fatigue in some players, they're not delivering what is expected of them, and others are ready to replace them. For example, Barić showed against Gorica that he can be very useful to us, so I'll definitely be changing quite a few things. We need to be more aggressive in attack, and I've spoken to the wingers individually about how to achieve that. Ljatifi is young and still finding his feet,Cantero is still adapting to the rhythm of the HNL, Dolček has returned from injury, and Bukvić hasn't been feeling his best in the last two matches, but he can always create something with the ball, concluded the White and Blues' head coach.