Nikolay Panayotov and Mihail Tsonev before the match with Beroe
Nikolay Panayotov: Our goal is to reach the final of the Bulgarian Cup.
The head coach of CSKA, Nikolay Panayotov, held a special press conference at the Press Club 'Bulgaria' for the upcoming match against Beroe in the eighth-finals of the Bulgarian Cup. The match in Bistritsa is tomorrow, December 7, at 14:30.
"Hopefully, the weather will be on our side. There's no plan B – we're playing as hosts, and we are obligated to win this match," began Panayotov, adding that all athletes who are healthy have the opportunity to play."
"Over the years, underestimating matches in the Bulgarian Cup has played a bad joke. We have analyzed Beroe well; they show consistency and are dangerous in the transitions they make. I hope we can make it difficult for them and win. Our goal is to reach the final in the tournament," he said to reporters, specifying that Simeon Petrov and Radoslav Kirilov have minor injuries and are questionable for tomorrow's match. Goalkeeper Daniel Naumov returns to the goalposts after an injury, as the other goalkeeper, Genadiy Ganev, is suspended due to a red card against Hebar."
"One of our goalkeepers, Genadiy Ganev, is serving a suspension. We hope Dani Naumov is doing well; he is training, and I hope he will stand in goal. Almost all injured players are already recovering. There is a slight issue with Simeon Petrov and Radi Kirilov, but I hope they will be available for the upcoming matches," stated Panayotov, commenting on offers to CSKA players."
"I know for sure that there is interest in Simeon Petrov, but I cannot specify about an offer. I haven't talked about it because our next match is the most important for us. The players are young. If they want to go abroad, they will have their chance, and their time will come," concluded the coach of 'the Reds'."
"At the press conference, recently debuted CSKA player Mihail Tsonev was also present, who shared his first impressions after the minutes he played against Hebar."
"Every match helps me, I accumulate experience, and with this practice, I hope to become more confident. We have a good team, I was accepted very well in the squad, and everyone is helping me."
"The talent also spoke about the upcoming match from the Sesame Cup in Bulgaria."
"If we play the way we did in the previous match, we can achieve victory against Beroe. I believe we can outplay any team in both the Cup and the league. I don't think their lineup is superior to ours; rather, it's the other way around."