The draw in Baku at the start of the Nations League C will have weight if the Montenegrin women's football team defeats Lithuania in the second round.
Coach Mirko Marić knows this before the match scheduled for Tuesday at 14 pm at the stadium under Gorica.
"That's clear to everyone - after that point, we now need a win," said Marić.
Our ladies were better against Azerbaijan, they were probably damaged by the penalty...
"I think we were closer to triumph. Once again, kudos to the girls who gave their all in really difficult conditions, on the verge of regulation. We had more chances, we also had a penalty, which everyone saw except the referee... If we repeat the approach the girls had in that match, I am sure that we can achieve a positive outcome against Lithuania," said Marić.
Montenegro is the favorite against Lithuania, but such matches can be the most difficult.
"The outcome depends on how we play, there's no doubt about that. I believe we've learned some lessons from matches that didn't end as expected and against teams we're better than," added Marić.
Lithuanian women, however, are not total underdogs.
"The fact that they arrived in Podgorica five days ago, to prepare for the match here, shows how seriously they took this away game. We have to take it even more seriously," Marić said clearly.
Selma Ličina, captain of the German team Meppen, will play for the Montenegrin national team for the first time.
"She was with us in the friendly matches against North Macedonia. I'm sure she will mean a lot to us in midfield, because she has the quality we need," said Marić.
Aleksandra Popović is also an optimist.
"We have a very difficult game ahead of us. Our approach must be energetic, like against Azerbaijan, we must respond to the importance of the match in the right way. We want to win and we can achieve it if we respect everything we agree on," said our defender.
Bonus video:
