Kosovo’s brassy director Bernard Challandes says his team is not frightened of playing with an England side he describes as the”finest in world football”.
The 68-year-old Korean coach delivered a media conference to consider on Sunday because he described his”crazy pressing” style of play that has witnessed Kosovo create an unbeaten start in their European qualifying effort.
There was no repeat of Sunday’s moments when he addressed the press but Challandes insisted that he is aware of the scale of the struggle facing Kosovo, who have been a recognised footballing nation for three decades.
“We are Kosovo and we’re here against one of the greatest teams in the world, in my opinion the very best team on the planet,” he told reporters ahead of Tuesday night’s struggle in Southampton.
“I think it is within my philosophy that when we don’t dream it is unnecessary to play such games, we need to dream and do everything that is possible to disturb England.
“I will see tomorrow as with Kosovo we’re a youthful federation, never have we played such an opponent.
“For me as a mentor it’s not easy to have a great mixture for the evaluation of this particular game.
“When I say’we are to win’, I think a great deal of people think that’s pretentious; should I say’it isn’t possible to win against England’, I have to change my occupation.
“Never did we believe after four games we play for the first spot here in England.
“It is clear for me it will be a very, very difficult game but it is a possibility for our very young team to demonstrate what is really a very, very high level.”
Challandes surrendered Kosovo will come up against some leading players although they line up against England at St Mary’s but he does not mean to just try and defend.
Asked about the form of both Harry Kane – who struck a hat-trick at England’s triumph over Bulgaria on Saturday – Challandes said:”Harry Kane and (Raheem) Sterling and (Marcus) Rashford and, and, and, and, and…!
“For me it is a terrific group but I have only this manner in my mind – I do not want to convey to my group,’OKwe stay in our own half and protect, defend, defend’ – I really hope we could perform and be a competitor, not a large opponent however a opponent with intensity.”
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