Ilyos Zeytullayev Speaks Openly About Problems at Bunyodkor
Following the match between Bunyodkor and Andijan in the Uzbekistan Football Championship, the home team's head coach, Ilyos Zeytullayev, attended a press conference. The hosts lost the match 1-3.
During the post-match interview, the coach shared his open and sincere thoughts regarding the team's current state, the internal atmosphere, and existing challenges. According to media reports, the coach primarily focused on the team's psychological state and the difficulties encountered.
He noted it is disheartening that currently, Bunyodkor's victories or defeats seem insignificant to many. Nevertheless, every effort is being made to save the club and ensure stability.
The coach emphasized that despite the dire situation, the players and coaching staff are giving their all. Zeytullayev stated that the last two matches were quite painful for the team, with instances of nervousness observed on the field.
He attributed this not only to physical fitness but also to psychological factors. He mentioned that it is crucial for the team to perform well in the upcoming two matches, after which he will consider his future plans, including a potential trip to Italy.
Responding to journalists' questions about results amid financial problems, the coach congratulated Andijan on their victory, acknowledging their well-formed and experienced squad. In his view, there is no magic in football; success comes to those who work harder and maintain a professional approach.
He also noted the high workload, stating that frequent matches are exhausting the players, which directly impacts their performance. Regarding financial matters, Ilyos Zeytullayev did not hide the reality.
He reminded that footballers are ordinary people with families, debts, and personal problems. He spoke about football being a business to some extent and the need to understand the mental state of players who are not receiving their salaries.
The coach expressed hope for positive changes in the future. Reflecting on the match details, Zeytullayev mentioned that the team had good scoring opportunities.
Specifically, he highlighted that a missed penalty when the score was 0-1 completely changed the course of the game. In conclusion, the coach stated his belief in the team's potential and the presence of talented young players capable of reaching the national team level.
