There were no obligations this morning, so that the players could have a rest and be ready for the afternoon training session, scheduled at 17:30 h at Stade e la Cavee. The duel against Bulgaria was twenty-third for Ervin Zukanović in a national team dress, and he says about an influence of the trip to him and the team:

“We were surely tired, because it was a long trip, but we could sleep longer today, and by Tuesday we have enough time to rest and be ready for the match. The weather is incomparably more beautiful here, so everything will be easier.”

Referring to the match with Bulgaria, Zukanović reminds: “The weather was not ideal, so we did not even train properly, which was, of course, difficult for both the head coach and for us, because for the first time we gathered in this composition. This team will play now according to the new system; the head coach asks something else from us, so the first match was not exactly what we expected. This is normal, because we were not together for a long period, so we need a bit of time and playing together, for which the friendly matches serve.”

Zukanović thinks that the match against Senegal will be even tougher than the one against Bulgaria:

“It’s a team that qualified for the FIFA World Cup and which wants to play as we do. It’s an ideal time for trainings, which will certainly affect how to play both us and them. I’m focused on what the Head coach will ask of us and I can only say that every game is a great opportunity for us to play and show that we are doing what the head coach requires. I repeat once again that the match with Senegal is a good test and we have to make progress from game to game and show better quality.”

As it is not hard to get used to the new head coach and his working methods, is confirmed by Zukanović: “It is logical that the new head coach has a different vision and way of working, but the most important thing is to work seriously and professionally. We need little time to get used to the new match system, but it will not be difficult, because we all want to achieve the goal, that is to go to another big competition. These friendly matches mean a lot to us, because it’s not the same in a club, where you practice different things every day, and in the national team where we gathered a few times a year. That’s why all these checks will give benefit to us.”