Scotland manager Pedro Martinez Losa has admitted to quiet moments of self-doubt as he looked to steer the women’s national side back on track after a sobering Nations League campaign.
Scotland’s European Championships campaign kicked off with a goalless draw against Serbia, a draw that completed a miserable sequence of eight competitive games without a win. Since then Scotland have recovered their composure and belief as they head into the concluding game top of the group.
A draw or better against Serbia at Firhill on Tuesday would take them into Friday’s play-off draw on the back of securing top spot.
“You do feel loneliness as a coach, even if you are around a lot of people,” said Martinez Losa.
“You have to make decisions and you are never 100% sure your decisions are the right ones. Of course, you have your own principles and you have your own staff but you depend on 11 individuals performing too. It is a family in one way and we have worked on that but we are not superheroes and in some moments you need to look to yourself.
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“You have to refuel your own beliefs and look to the moments and decisions that give you the confidence that you need to go again.”
Scotland are currently the best in League B when it comes to the UEFA Women’s European Championship qualification tables with the Spaniard challenging his side to go and show why tonight.
“Statistically we are the best team in League B in terms of number of goals and points but we also have one of the other best team in this league in our group which is Serbia,” said Martinez. “It is a good challenge for us to test ourselves tonight and also to prepare for the play-offs.
“We want to be the most ruthless team tonight, the most aggressive team tonight.
“We want to be top of the group. Arriving to the play-off being unbeaten, top of the group and playing good football of course gives you a feeling of being strong and being more prepared.
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“We are looking at the objectives that we have and we want to keep hard to achieve what we want and keep progressing with our football. We are aware that every game is a test.
“We are aware that there is no team that keeps winning forever so we need to be prepared. So far we have to be conscious about the amount of things that we are doing well across these past few camps. Apart from the football we have coped with a lot of challenges.”
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