The  Azerbaijani futsal player Isa Atayev said this in a statement on the official website of the federation before the matches against Slovakia and Greece in the qualifying round of the European Championship, Offsideplus.az reports.

Speaking about the preparation, the experienced player said that the lack of time and not training with the full staff from the first day will create difficulties: “The head coach is already with the team. We are working on the plan. Of course, we don't have much time to get in full shape and get ready for the game as I want. Now we use the opportunity as much as possible. As a team, we have not fully recovered, our players from other clubs have not yet joined the national team. If all the members of the staff were together from the first day, the effect would probably be greater.

Evaluating the opponents, the 32-year-old striker said he had no doubt that the national team would finish as the leader of the group: “We will start the group stage with a duel against Slovakia. According to the rankings, the favorite is the Azerbaijani national team. Slovakia is our main rival on this path. Moldova cannot be reduced. As for Greece, the team started the fight from the initial stage and eliminated the Turkish national team in the playoffs due to the advantage created by the goals scored on the road. They are neither Slovakia nor Moldova. Of course, our goal is to reach the final stage. For this, we must start well. We have met Slovakia twice in the last two years. It is a difficult opponent, but it is possible to win. I think we will finish the group stage as a leader and achieve our goal. "

Atayev also spoke about the new format: “For the first time, the group stage will be held with a home-away system. This format will be more interesting. Because you will play two games with each opponent. Unfortunately, pandemic-related games are played without fans. But in the future, this system will be interesting for fans. Everyone will have the opportunity to watch the national team at home.

It should be noted that the national team, which is preparing for the qualifying round of the European Championship, is training at the Baku Sports Palace. The national team, which will host Slovakia on January 29, will face Greece in Athens four days later.