Filipe Coelho, the head coach of University of Craiova, expressed his excitement after the team secured their place in the Europa League group stage with a 2-1 win against KuPS, following a 1-1 draw in the first leg. In the playoff round, Craiova will face Ararat-Armenia.
Coelho praised his players for their resilience, noting that despite a rocky start to the match where they conceded an early goal, the team showed confidence in the second half. “We didn’t have much time to prepare for the match. We started off with a goal conceded from the first shot on target, but the group responded well and believed in themselves. In the second half, we came back with more confidence and created numerous chances against a strong opponent. It’s essential for us to compete against good teams,” he said.
He emphasized that reaching the group stage was crucial for the team’s morale, calling it the second objective achieved this season, following their success in the Supercup. “We’re very happy; it’s our second goal met. We continue to work because it will only get more challenging,” Coelho affirmed.
Coelho also acknowledged the need for improvement in managing games and player concentration. “We need to control matches differently and keep working, but we have limited time. We were aware that the opposing winger would exploit spaces, and we prepared for that, but sometimes we forget our tasks in pursuit of victory. This means a lot to us and to our supporters,” he stated.
The coach commended the fans for their support, especially those who traveled to Finland for the first leg. “It’s great to have a team in the European groups, and we should all be proud. The fans were wonderful, and I want to thank them for their unwavering support,” he said.
On potential player transfers, Coelho mentioned, “We will analyze whether we need new signings to improve our team. This is a discussion between me, Mario, and the coaching staff. We’ll explore the best solutions to enhance our squad. The club will decide on player movements, but I work with the players I have and strive to maximize their potential.”
Looking ahead, Coelho highlighted the determination to secure a spot in the Europa League, stating, “We will fight for a place in the Europa League. It will be tough, but we are at least in the Conference League. We will do everything possible to make the fans happy. Sometimes things don’t go our way, but this group has made history in Craiova, and I am very proud of the city, the players, and the club. It will be challenging at times.”
