FC Utrecht coach Ron Jans is singing praises for his team's unwavering spirit as they gear up for the second leg of their Europa League qualifier against Sheriff Tiraspol. After a triumphant 3-1 comeback victory in Moldova, the Domstedelingen are brimming with confidence as they prepare to finish the job on home turf.
Team Spirit: Utrecht's Secret Weapon
Jans emphasized the importance of team spirit, stating, "The most precious thing I’ve experienced with this group for a year and a half now is the team spirit. Wanting to help each other, not giving up, and working together really well. We truly stand as a team." He highlighted the team's resilience, noting their ability to bounce back from setbacks, a trait they've displayed consistently.
Areas for Improvement
Despite the positivity, Jans also identified areas for improvement. He pointed out the need for a quicker and more decisive build-up play, particularly against Sheriff's relatively lax pressure. "We need to offer more on the ball. We had so much time to build up against Sheriff, because they didn’t really apply pressure. It was much too slow, especially in the beginning. It was much better in the second half."
Confidence and Assurance
Looking ahead to the second leg, Jans expressed confidence in his team's ability to secure their place in the next round. "We’re not giving this away anymore, but we’re still in the preliminary round. It’s not over yet. You never know, but we can certainly exude a bit of self-assurance and confidence."
If FC Utrecht triumph over Sheriff, they'll face a challenging matchup against either Viktoria Pilsen or FC Servette in the third qualifying round. The stakes are high, as the winner of that round will advance to the play-offs, the final hurdle before reaching the coveted Europa League main tournament.
Will Utrecht's team spirit and improved gameplay be enough to secure their passage to the next stage? The second leg promises to be a thrilling encounter.