Bessone Wants a Warrior in Every Duel
Osijek's new coach previewed Saturday's clash against Rudeš, stressing that his team must maintain the intensity from the start of the season and give young players like Ježić and Bukvić a chance.
Osijek's new coach previewed Saturday's clash against Rudeš, stressing that his team must maintain the intensity from the start of the season and give young players like Ježić and Bukvić a chance.
After opening the new SuperSport HNL season with a convincing away win against Gorica (2-0), Osijek's players are gearing up for a new challenge. Federico Bessone's side travels to Velika Gorica again on Saturday, where they will face Rudeš at 6:30 PM.
The "blue-whites" coach is aware that a good start must not be a reason for complacency. In his preview of the match, he sent a clear message to his players, emphasizing that they face a completely different game than the one in the first round.
"We played well, but that was just one game. We have to continue like this; it will be a big mistake if we relax even a little," Bessone told 24sata. "We need to maintain the same level, and if possible, play even a bit better."
The coach revealed that his staff has thoroughly analyzed the opponent. "I'm aware this will be a different match; we watched Rudeš against Rijeka. But just as I said we'd be ready for Gorica, I now say we'll be ready for Rudeš as well."
He placed special emphasis on avoiding mistakes. "We have to be smart and avoid errors, like losing balls stupidly in midfield. I won't say anything else so as not to reveal our game plan, which I definitely don't want to do."
Bessone also explained his coaching philosophy, revealing that he and sporting director Kenneth Zandvliet have agreed on key principles. "I'm a coach who doesn't have a starting 11. Of course, it's hard to change things when you're winning and when the team plays as ours did in the last match."
"When I first arrived at the club, I agreed with sporting director Kenneth Zandvliet that we want to be a team with character. Many make the mistake of thinking that once they score a goal, the job is done, and then they lose focus. I want us to be a team that, after scoring the first goal, immediately goes for the second. I want us to be brave, and I believe this squad has the capacity for more."
Although the season has just begun, Bessone is aware of the weight of past seasons and the desire to bring fans back to the stands. "That win gave us a boost because of everything that has happened to Osijek over the past two seasons, and also because of the working conditions that no one else in the league has."
"When you get a new coach and sporting director, of course new expectations come along. That first match was important for the players to see for themselves that they're doing a good job, but we must not relax; we have to stay focused. We want to bring fans back to the stands, because I've told the players, the management, and my assistants that we do everything for the fans."
He particularly praised the young players who have been given a chance. "I want to play with young players, and if they prove they can play in the HNL, they'll get real minutes. It might have been easier for me to play with a more experienced midfielder in Velika Gorica, but Ježić showed he's ready and deserves to play. Young players are the future of this club, and we want to give them the opportunity to prove themselves."
He also commented on the versatile Bukvić. "As for Bukvić, he can play any position: full-back, winger, six, eight, ten. The only thing he can't do is be a goalkeeper, and that's because of his height, but he does brilliantly in all other positions. For me as a coach, that's great because I can use him wherever I need him. In midfield, he has more freedom, so I'm pleased with how quickly he's adapted."
