Zahari Sirakov: We are happy with the progress of Elisey and Filip Gigov, and within two years, we must promote our own youth players

The past autumn half-season brought many emotions for the second team of Ludogorets. Highs and Lows events are presented to young "Eagle" players. The selection will temporarily be carried out by assistant coach Krasimir Chomakov, while the head coach Zahari Sirakov led the representative team in matches on both domestic and foreign grounds.

After the final whistle at the end of the autumn half-season in the Second Professional League, Ludogorets' reserve team is wintering in 10th place in the temporary standings with 9 wins from 21 played matches. The second half of the season for the Razgrad team will start on February 17 with an away match against Dunav in Ruse. The time until then will be used as optimally as possible for preparation, which includes 4 friendly matches. This Saturday, January 18, Zahari Sirakov and his team will travel to Gorna Oryahovitsa, where they will face the local opponent, Lokomotiv, in their first friendly match. On January 25, they will host Septemvri from Tervel in Razgrad. A friendly match against Cherno More in Varna is scheduled for January 29. Finally, the youth team of the "Eagles" will warm up against Dobrudzha in Dobrich on February 8.

The young squad of Ludogorets II has been further strengthened with additional football talents who were recently part of the third team – Georgi Penev, Eren Yusein, and Hristian Atanasov. Meanwhile, four youth players from the "Eagles" are already part of the first team – Elisey Sarov, Filip Gigov, Rosen Ivanov, and Metodiy Stefanov.

More about how the team's winter preparation is going and the pride of seeing one's talent in the ranks of the first team of Ludogorets was shared by the head coach of the second team of the 13-time Bulgarian champions, Zahari Sirakov.

How do you assess the performance of your young players during the autumn half-season in the Second Professional League?

We started the season very well. In the middle of the championship, there was a slight decline, which is normal because we nearly updated the entire second team, about 90 percent. The team is made up entirely of young players who still need more time to gel and require patience. Our problems mainly appeared during away games; we performed well in home matches. I can't say that we didn't perform well as guests, but the results were negative. In many matches, we made individual mistakes and suffered losses, but in terms of gameplay, no team outplayed us. In the second half of the season, we must not allow such declines.

At the head of the second team, you work with young players, which you attributed to the fluctuating performance during the first half of the season. What would be indicative of their growth during the spring half of the season?

Until recently, some of the boys played in the third team, and now they are in professional football and are showing a good level. What is indicative is that we were competitive against all teams, even though we lacked final results in some matches. We were a bit naive, and youth played a role as well; we made individual, simple mistakes that cost us the victories. But I am pleased that, physically and in terms of football, we performed very well in all the matches.

Last year, you led not only the second team but also the first team of "Ludogorets." Which of the two roles do you consider to be a greater responsibility?

Everywhere, It is a responsibility. In the first team, we are looking for the results in every match. In the Academy, we need to develop the players. Our goal, whithin two years, is to help our academy players establish themselves in the first team as key players, not just participate in training camp.

Elisei Sarov and Filip Gigov are fulfilling the goal of seeing your boys in the first team lineup. How do you feel when you see them playing in the professional league, and will you continue to rely on them the second team?

It is encouraging, we are happy for every player called up to the first team because they have managed to stand out and have earned the trust to play in the friendly matches. Now the boys need to work harder and put in more effort because the players in the senior team are at a high level, and it’s difficult to compete with them. It’s encouraging that the coach likes them, and now it depends on them and us to help them develop further. If Elisey and Filip play less with the senior team, we will rely on them in the second team, as they still need playing time.

Are there any other breakthroughs of youth players from "Ludogorets" into the first team?

The second team of "Ludogorets" consists of many talented players, and it is the coaching staff's job to help them develop further. Since Elisey and Filip made it through, it means they were recognized. The others need to try harder. 

What did you wish for on New Year's Eve?

Most of all, to be healthy, for the boys not to have injuries, to do our job well during the winter training, so that we don't have problems in the championship.

What are the goals for you and your boys in the spring half of the season?

We aim for a good performance, to make fewer mistakes, have fewer individual lapses, and improve our position in the standings.

How will the winter preparation of the second team of Ludogorets go?

The winter preparation will take place entirely at the training base in the "Eagle's Nest" complex, where we have perfect conditions. We are preparing very well, everything is going according to plan, and I hope we will be fully ready for the first championship game.