Vassiljev says Flora must improve finishing

FC Flora Tallinn advanced to the UEFA Conference League third qualifying round by beating Welsh champions The New Saints on penalties, but head coach Konstantin Vassiljev said the team must improve its finishing. ERR reported that Flora will next face Andorran champions Inter Club d’Escaldes.

Flora won the first leg at home 1-0, but The New Saints levelled the tie with a goal in the 91st minute of the return match. Neither side scored in extra time, and Flora won the penalty shootout 4-2.

Vassiljev told ERR that conceding so late was disappointing.

“The match was certainly emotional. Letting the opponent score in the final minutes, seemingly out of nowhere, made the situation somewhat sad. At that moment, the opponent was not really dangerous in front of our goal, but unfortunately the goal came,” Vassiljev said.

“I was sure that if we went into extra time, we would have time to correct the situation. Of course, I was also emotional about some decisions on the pitch that I was not happy with, but that is part of football,” he added.

Flora will play away to Inter Club d’Escaldes on Thursday. Before that, the team will face Harju Laagri in the domestic league on Sunday.

“First, we have to get home and begin recovering. At the same time, we already have a match against Harju on Sunday. We have to prepare for that game both physically and emotionally. It is not easy; it is a challenge, but it is another inevitability that we simply have to accept,” Vassiljev said.

“At the same time, we will begin preparing for the trip to Andorra and analysing the opponent. On paper, it may seem like a favourable draw, but matches are decided on the pitch and two difficult games await us,” he added.

Vassiljev said Flora would need to take its chances better if it wanted to continue its European campaign.

“The analysis of the opponent will show what we should focus on, and where they are weaker and stronger. I think the players gained the necessary confidence from the previous match that they can last a long time on the pitch. Extra time was largely under our control. Finishing was certainly the one area in these two matches where we must improve if we want the games to go in our favour,” he said.

The Conference League third qualifying round matches are scheduled for August 6 and 13.