Interview

Hristo Stoichkov:
"Many of my players think that their only job is to show up at fancy discos"

17.5.2005

Mr.Stoitchkov, are you prepared for the upcoming match against Croatia?
What do you mean am I prepared... First of all, we need to eliminate the same mistakes that were allowed in our previous games against Sweden and Hungary. If the team was more careful against the Hungarians, they wouldn't have allowed seven fatal errors in the span of one minute. Look, I'm not a teacher. I can't teach these so-called 'developed' players how to trap and pass the ball. They're supposed to learn that with their club sides. Considering that they haven't, it means that they don't respect their club coaches and they don't respect themselves. I won't even mention that they also disrespected the 40,000 spectators who turned out at Vasil Levski stadium. The next game against Croatia is our last chance. I'm sure that 40,000 fans will be in attendance again, but they must not be dishonored. Or we'll end up like the Bulgarian club league where only a few hundred people show up at each match. Many of my guys, who play in Bulgaria, think that their only job as professionals is to show up at fancy discos. Instead of spending extra time training, these guys are teaching the youngsters tricks and cheats on how to get out of practice earlier. I truly hope that they've learned from their mistakes.

You don't think that you also had some fault for the poor performances against Sweden and Hungary?
I claimed responsibility for this long time ago. Don't expect me to single out specific players who should be blamed. All criticisms remain within the walls of Boyana training camp. The players who erred know who they are.

If you could replay the match against Sweden, would you have tried a more defensive strategy?
No! I wouldn't have changed a thing.

Is there something that Croatia can surprise you with?
I don't think so. Their coach said that they'll be happy to get one point from the match in Sofia. Coach Zlatko Krancar is being realistic, he knows that he'll have to beat Sweden in order to qualify.

What would you say about Valeri Bojinov?
It's good that he's recovering from his injury. It's bad that he's constantly giving out interviews. His team is about to be relegated while this guy is chatting with the press. I opened the doors of the national team for him, but I can just as easily close them.

Who are you rooting for in the Champions League final?
Personally, I prefer Milan. But I've already said that Liverpool is a pleasant surprise. You never know, they might as well win the trophy.