Their 19th-place finish has set up a challenging pathway in the knockout stages. In the first round of the knockout phase, the tournament format pairs teams ranked between 17th and 22nd with those positioned in the top six, making their upcoming matches especially demanding. Despite the tough draw, Lewtas remains positive about his team’s potential and performance.
Reflecting on the campaign so far, Lewtas emphasized the resilience and growth his players have demonstrated. “We’ve been tested in six difficult matches, and each game has been a valuable learning experience,” he noted. He acknowledged the high level of competition throughout the tournament, which has demanded consistent focus and quality.
Discussing specific games, Lewtas admitted that the defeat to Leipzig was deserved. He recognized the superiority of their opponents in that encounter but expressed frustration over the result against Real Madrid. “That game was particularly disappointing because we conceded an early goal and created opportunities that we couldn’t convert,” he said. While the team competed well against such a formidable opponent, missed chances and small lapses proved costly.
Lewtas stressed that, at this elite level of competition, the margin for error is incredibly slim. Even minor mistakes can have significant consequences, highlighting the importance of maintaining both precision and composure in high-pressure situations. Despite these setbacks, he remains encouraged by the overall strength of his team’s performances and their ability to compete against some of the best teams in the tournament.
As they prepare for the knockout stages, Lewtas and his squad are focused on continuing their upward trajectory. He believes that their experiences from the group stage have equipped them with the resilience and tactical awareness needed to face the top-ranked teams. The challenging road ahead does not intimidate the team; instead, it serves as an opportunity to demonstrate their growth and capabilities on a bigger stage.
Lewtas is confident that his players can rise to the occasion, using the lessons learned from their earlier matches to refine their approach and address the areas where they fell short. While acknowledging the steep challenge posed by their higher-ranked opponents, he remains steadfast in his belief that his team has the potential to surprise and succeed.
