Their 19th-place finish has created a difficult path ahead in the knockout stages. In the opening round, teams ranked 17th to 22nd are matched against those in the top six, making the upcoming games particularly tough. However, despite this challenging draw, Lewtas stays optimistic about his team’s capabilities and performance.
Looking back on the campaign so far, Lewtas highlighted the resilience and development his players have shown. “We’ve faced six tough matches, and each one has been a valuable lesson,” he reflected. He recognized the high level of competition throughout the tournament, which required ongoing focus and quality.
When discussing specific matches, Lewtas conceded that the loss to Leipzig was deserved. He acknowledged their opponents’ superiority in that match but expressed frustration over the outcome against Real Madrid. “That match was especially frustrating because we gave up an early goal and had chances we couldn’t take,” he said. While the team performed well against a strong opponent, missed opportunities and small mistakes proved costly.
Lewtas emphasized that at this level, the margin for error is minimal. Even the smallest mistakes can have major repercussions, underscoring the need for precision and composure in high-stress situations. Despite these challenges, he remains encouraged by the overall strength of his team’s performances and their ability to compete against some of the tournament’s best.
As they prepare for the knockout stages, Lewtas and his team are focused on continuing their progress. He believes that the lessons learned from the group stage have given them the resilience and tactical awareness necessary to take on the top teams. The tough road ahead does not daunt them; instead, it offers a chance to showcase their development and abilities on a bigger stage.
Lewtas is confident his players can rise to the challenge, using the insights gained from earlier matches to refine their strategy and address the areas where they fell short. While acknowledging the steep challenge from their higher-ranked opponents, he remains resolute in his belief that his team has the potential to surprise and succeed.