Jovicevic: "We have to bring out the warrior in everyone to win every inch of the pitch"

Ludogorets coach Igor Jovicevic held a press conference ahead of the Bulgarian Cup final, sharing his thoughts on the importance of the match and what it will take to secure victory:

“14 league titles in a row, 8 Super Cups, and 3 Cups – in that regard, we surpass CSKA. A final always brings a bit of nervousness because it's just one game, 90 minutes, and a trophy is on the line. There’s pressure, but also a special feeling. You have to give 100%, even push beyond your limits, because anything less won’t be enough. CSKA are in good form with six wins, but everything will be decided on the pitch,” Jovicevic said.

He emphasized the psychological and tactical preparation for such a key match:

“For a game like this, you don’t need special motivation. What you can do is help the players with tactical information—things that might happen during the match. Having a clear game plan gives the team confidence. But without emotion and motivation, tactics alone won’t do the job. Tomorrow, we must bring out the warrior in each player to fight for every inch of the field.”

The Croatian coach expressed his ambition clearly:

“I want to win the Cup—that’s my goal. Every Ludogorets coach is here to fight to the end. There are expectations from fans, the media, and every player must show his best for Ludogorets so that everyone is satisfied.”

He acknowledged the uniqueness of the final and its psychological weight:

“This is a different kind of game—it’s a final. We’re ready to fight and show our emotions. Winning the league early has an effect; you can see it with PSG, Liverpool, and Barcelona—their performances dropped after securing their titles.”

On the mindset Ludogorets should carry throughout the season:

“For us, it’s important to treat every match as a final. I don’t make big distinctions between matches or finals because the goal is always the same—win. The difference now is that tomorrow we must win a trophy. That’s our main goal: to complete the treble and bring Ludogorets a fourth Cup. That’s motivation. Players want to play in front of full stands—that’s why they’re footballers. We’ve played in full stadiums before, so we’re not afraid of that.”

Jovicevic also addressed the squad situation:

“Jakub Piotrowski and Pedro Naressi will be missed—both are captains—but we have the quality and the winning mentality. I believe the boys will handle it.”

On the need for brilliance in decisive moments:

“Of course, we need to be brilliant tomorrow. That comes from habits and preparation. We had similar moments earlier this season when we won matches using a false nine. We’ve shown brilliance in our goals throughout the campaign. That brilliance comes from the team.”

Finally, he summed up the journey and the opportunity ahead:

“This is a final. Every player wants to be part of a final. We’ve been through difficult moments, but now we rely on the competence of every player and staff member. It doesn’t matter what form the other team is in—it’s one game, 90 minutes, like El Clasico. We have to give it everything. This journey has been beautiful. I want to rewrite history and bring a treble to Ludogorets.”