Slovakia head coach Vladimír Weiss Sr. is chasing three points on Tuesday as his side fights for promotion to League B. The 20:45 UEFA Nations League clash against Kazakhstan is more than a tactical challenge for the veteran manager; it is a return to a footballing infrastructure he helped build during his tenure in Kazakhstan from 2012 to 2015.
Shifting from Moldova’s Defense to Kazakhstan’s Attack
Slovakia enters the match following a 2-0 victory over Moldova in the Group 3 opener, but Weiss is preparing for a different animal. While Moldova sat back in a 5-3-2 system, Kazakhstan typically deploys a more aggressive 4-3-3.
"Moldovans defended more in a 5-3-2 system; the Kazakhs play 4-3-3 with three offensive players," Weiss said.
The victory over Moldova was not without its scares. Defensive lapses in the first twenty minutes nearly derailed the result, a flaw Weiss is determined to erase. "We must confirm our quality and, above all, our concentration. It would have been difficult to turn the game around otherwise."
Stitches and Selection at the National Training Centre
The squad is largely healthy. Defender Dávid Hancko is expected to feature despite a leg injury that required four stitches. In goal, the decision is still pending. Dominik Greif kept a clean sheet in the previous match, but Weiss noted he has four capable goalkeepers and will make his final call closer to kickoff.
Preparations at the National Training Centre in Poprad have seen a revolving door of young talent. Leo Sauer and Hugo Pavek were briefly released to the U21 squad for their fixture against Ireland before returning to the senior side. Nino Marcelli remains with the U21s.
The Evolution of Kairat Almaty
Weiss speaks with a specific reverence for the growth of the Kazakh game, particularly the rise of Kairat Almaty. During his time there, he oversaw the development of Nuraly Alip, Bauyrzhan Islamchan, and Islambek Kuat.
"Kairat has three world-class academies. They do football honestly, and it pays off," Weiss remarked. "When I arrived, they had football in its infancy; today, they have several quality teams that our clubs would struggle against. I have pleasant memories of Kazakhstan. It is a quality team, but I believe we have a better one."
Seeking Redemption at the Košice Football Arena
Slovakia is fighting to stay atop the C-division table, but history is not on their side. During the 2022 UEFA Nations League, Kazakhstan won both meetings, 1-0 and 2-1. Midfielder Ondrej Duda, who saw red in the second of those losses, is expected to be a central figure in Tuesday’s match at the Košice Football Arena.
Weiss believes the gap in league quality will be the deciding factor. "We are the favorites for the match, and we must confirm our quality with courage in the attack. Our players play in different leagues than the opponent’s players. If we are calm and consistent, we are a very strong team."