As the first round of the UEFA Cup league stage is coming up against Premier League giants Manchester United, Twente manager Austin showed his confidence and determination in his team in the pre-match conference. He emphasized, "I always believe that chances are reserved for those who are prepared, and as long as we dare to fight and show ourselves, we will surely be able to create our own chances in the game."
Austin specifically mentioned moments of offensive and defensive transitions as key points where the team might pose a threat to United: "In quick offensive and defensive transitions, we have the ability to create problems for United. Manchester United is recognized as a top club, alongside giants such as Real Madrid and Barcelona, and such an opponent will undoubtedly inspire us to fight harder."
Despite Twente's unfortunate defeat in the UEFA Champions League qualifiers and move to the UEFA Cup, Austin is not dismayed: "Although the result was not satisfactory, our journey continues. The fact that we are in the UEFA Cup is in itself a testament to our strengths. We have to prove that our third-place finish in the league was no fluke and that we are fully deserving of being on this stage."
When asked about his opinion on the new Manchester United manager Ten Hagar, Austin showed professionalism and respect: "Ten Hagar is a very good coach and has achieved remarkable success during his time in charge in Holland. However, as opponents, we are more concerned about how to prepare for our own matches rather than focusing too much on the background of the opposing coach. We have a close-knit team and strong beliefs, which is our strength."
Finally, Austin re-emphasized the grit and determination his team needs to show during the game: "Every game is a new challenge and we need to develop different strategies based on the characteristics of our opponents. But no matter who the opponent is, our goal is to win the game. Therefore, we must keep our spirits high and our confidence strong to make every game a real contest."
