Kosovo’s flamboyant manager Bernard Challandes says his team isn’t scared of playing an England side he describes as the”best in world football”.
The 68-year-old Swiss coach delivered a press conference to remember on Sunday as he described his”crazy barbarous” type of play that’s seen Kosovo create an abrupt beginning in their own European campaign.
There was no repeat of Sunday’s moments when he addressed the press on Monday, however Challandes insisted he is aware of the scale of the struggle facing Kosovo, who have been a recognized footballing state for three decades.
“We’re Kosovo and we are here against one of the greatest teams in the world, in my opinion the best team on earth,” he told reporters ahead of Tuesday night’s struggle in Southampton.
“I think that it is within my own philosophy that when we don’t dream it is unnecessary to play these gameswe ought to dream and do everything that can be done to disturb England.
“I will see tomorrow because with Kosovo we are a youthful federation, never have played against such an opponent.
“For me as a coach it’s not simple to have a good mixture for the evaluation of this game.
“When I say’we come to triumph’, I think a lot of individuals believe that’s pretentious; if I state’it is not feasible to win from England’, I have to alter my occupation.
“Never did we believe after four games we play for the first area here in England.
“It’s evident for me it is going to be a very, very hard game but it is a chance for our really young team to demonstrate what’s really a very, very large level.”
Challandes conceded Kosovo will come up from some players when they line up against England at St Mary’s but says he doesn’t mean to just try and defend.
Asked about the kind of Harry Kane – that 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 personally it is a wonderful group but I have only this way in my head – I don’t wish to say to my team,’OKwe remain in our own half and protect, defend, defend’ – I really hope we can play and become an opponent, not a big competitor however an opponent with strength.”
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