"Astana" is in a very difficult situation.
After two consecutive defeats in the group stage of the Conference League against Croatian team "Dinamo" and Czech team "Viktoria", the former champion of Kazakhstan "Astana" now has an away match in Kosovo against "Balkani". In the previous round, the Kosovar team managed to surprise the football community by defeating the Croatian champion on their home ground
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«Balkany» - «Astana». Date, time and live broadcast of the Conference League match
A correspondent of the republican internet portal Sports.kz contacted a veteran of Kazakh football, one of the best strikers in the history of Karagandy's «Shakhter» Ruslan Imankulov, who shared his opinion on the upcoming «Astana» match in the Conference League and assessed the team's chances of advancing from the group stage.
— Ruslan Maratovich, on Thursday “Astana” will play against Kosovar “Balkani” in the group stage of the Conference League. How do you think the match will go?
— “Balkani” lost to “Viktoria” in the first round, but unexpectedly defeated “Dynamo” in the second round. I don't know what to expect from this team. It will be difficult for “Astana” to play against this opponent away from home – Zagreb's “Dynamo” felt it themselves. I think we can expect a very uncompromising battle. “Balkani” shows inconsistent results, so it's unknown how this match will turn out.
— How do you assess the chances of the teams to win in this confrontation? Who do you consider to be the favorite?
— The chances of the teams to win are roughly equal. Although "Balkani" managed to win at the same stadium as "Dinamo", I can't call them the clear favorite. Any of the teams can win. "Astana" also needs to score points after two consecutive defeats if the team wants to have a chance of advancing from the group.
— What can "Astana" do to defeat "Balkani"?
— "Astana" can win through the right mindset and coordinated team actions. The Kazakhstani team needs to regroup and improve their situation in the group. It's too early to give up. The whole fight is still ahead, as only two matches have been played so far.
— Due to the special international status of the Republic of Kosovo, the transfer of "Astana" will be carried out by a regular flight with a transfer in Istanbul. Do you think this will affect the result?
— Of course, this incident will complicate the move — it will increase the time spent on the road. But in the game, everything will depend on the mood and desire. Even if the transfer is not charter, but with a third stop — the heart of the "Astana" football players should burn with fire and then everything will work out. I will support the team, no matter what difficulties it overcomes.
— What do you think about the level of the “Astana” legionnaires in the current season?
— Of course, among the legionnaires, Marin Tomasov stands out. He has long shown and proved his high level. The other players are also good, but I didn't see that they are two heads stronger than the Kazakhstani footballers.
— In your opinion, which position in the Kazakhstani team needs strengthening?
— I believe that “Astana” could use good wingers.
— What are the chances of the Kazakhstani team to advance from the group after two defeats to "Dynamo" and "Victoria"?
— "Astana" is in a very difficult situation. It is necessary to prevail in the two upcoming matches against "Balkan" — it is important to win away and at home. The chance for second place in the group is not dead yet. In case of victory in both matches, the capital team is quite capable of fighting for advancement from the group. It is too early to raise the white flag — we need to play until the end.
— What is your overall assessment of the group?
— The group is quite balanced. At the moment, it seems like "Astana" is the outsider. And the other teams are winning against each other and it's not clear. Everything will become more or less clear after the third game of "Astana" — whether the team can interfere in the fight for the top two spots or if "Dynamo", "Victoria", and "Balkan" will compete for the two tickets among themselves.