by Spartak Myjava will be looking to make a strong impression with their home crowd as they seek to go to the final, but will face an eager debutant in ZFK Buducnost as the two battle for a place in Saturday’s final tonight at 19:00. Spartak Myjava’s Andrea Bogorova and Buducnost’s Angelina Dreshaj weighed in on the relevance of playing in the UEFA Women’s Champions League and their expectations from tonight’s match.
A First-Time Host Against An Eager Debutant
Spartak Myjava will be looking to impress their home fans as they take on the debutant Montenegrin champions, ZFK Buducnost.
Spartak Myjava’s forward, twenty-five year old Andrea Bogorova, is no stranger to netting goals in the competition. The Slovakian national player weighed in on the difference in playing the UEFA Women’s Champion League as opposed to competing in the domestic matches, “These matches challenge us in the highest manner and because of this we also prepare for these matches in the maximum manner. We have dominated our local league for a few years, so we know that playing these Champions League matches gives us a stronger opponent and so we prepare for it in the highest manner.”
Questioned on the difference in preparation in playing on home turf, Andrea Bogorova replied, “We have been competing in the UEFA Women’s Champions League for the past four years, but this is our first time playing at home in the competition. We did not change our preparation too much, but just little details.”
Meanwhile, U19 Montenegrin national, Angelina Dreshaj, will be one of those making the debut for ZFK Buducnost after the team overthrew long-time Montenegrin champions, Breznica Pljevlja. The side is eager to showcase their football, “We’re looking to give a good impression. We know we face tough opposition but we want to go for the win, give our best and hope things fall into place.”
Buducnost have signed on eight players over the summer: Milica Radunović (TSC), Indira Faković (ŽNK Split), Zerina Piskić (ŽNK Split), Lana Rusković (ŽNK Split), Merjema Medić (SFK Sarajevo), Karina Berikova (Bornova, Turska), Ana Vlahović (Ilarion), Danica Reljić (ŽFK Mladost 2015). However, the side lost Maša Tomašević, Nikolina Caković and Almina Hodžić.
Questioned on the transition to onboard the new teammates as they prepare for this competition, Dreshaj replied, “Losing our two most important players, MaÅ¡a and Nikolina was a big loss for the team. However, our new players have been proving themselves in training to be very good. So, we’re excited and we cannot wait to step onto the pitch.”
Match Expectations
Questioned on the speculation of Spartak Myjava being the favourites to proceed to the second round, Andrea Bogorova replied, “I think we will accept the label as favourites because we are playing at home. However, we approach every game as one requiring full focus. Our rivals are new and for this reason we must focus on playing our own game and give our best.”
On the other hand, Buducnost will be facing not only their opponent, and their demons as debutants, but facing a hostile home crowd as well. However, Angelina Dreshaj believes the team is ready to take it all in their stride. “It’s a big advantage for Spartak to have the home crowd with them. However, we don’t consider it much, we’re focused on our own opportunity to make an impression on European level. It’s an incredible feeling to be playing in the Champions League.”
The two teams will take to the pitch at sunset at the Spartak Myjava stadium at 19:00. The match will be live-streamed. The winner will face Swieqi United on Saturday at 19:00, following their 5 – 0 win against Agarista. Agarista will face the defeated team between Spartak Myjava and ZFK Buducnost on Saturday at 11:00.
Lead Images: Spartak Myjava / Rusmin Radic / FK Buducnost Podgorica
Stay up to date by following The Sporting Fan on social media: Instagram ~ Facebook ~ X
