Víctor Vázquez, facing his great challenge: "It's as if Barça were playing against a team from Wales"

Not even his own Victor Vazquez (39) one could have imagined a better premiere in the Conference League with the FC Santa Coloma from Andorra. The former Barça midfielder, now coach of the Principat team, easily surpassed the first knockout round of the competition by defeating the Welsh Penyobont (0-1 and 3-0) and in the next two weeks a great team awaits him in the second round: the Vienna Rapida historical of Europe.

The Barcelona coach, one of the two owners of FC Santa Coloma, took the Andorran team’s bench just a couple of months ago almost out of obligation. There was no coach and he took over. Now, he is facing his first big challenge: the double commitment against the Austrian team that has won the most leagues in the country.

Congratulations. The moment of truth has arrived…

“Yes. I have been a coach since November but we had only played in the league, now I am making my debut in the Conference League”

Did you imagine passing the first round in your first experience in Europe?

“No and yes. I didn’t imagine it because these initial rounds are difficult for a small country, but we Andorrans are doing better and better. It already happened to this team last year, they also passed the first round. In 2023 they reached the third round, it was historic.”

And why yes?

“It may surprise me because I started from nothing, on the rebound. The best thing from my experience was that I took the team, even without experience as a coach. I have been in many countries throughout my career. It has been easy for me to adapt to this new role since I arrived. The fact that, as a player, I have had that vision, that creativity as a playmaker, is helping me. Also having been with so many good coaches.”

Víctor Vázquez expects success as head of FC Santa Coloma

What do you value most about your team?

Compared to last year, the resilience and commitment they have. And having made necessary signings to compete at this level, because we are in Europe… They are very professional.

What can you tell me about the rival?

In recent years, Rapid Vienna is not doing so well, but it is a club with a budget of 67 million euros, while ours does not reach 900,000 thousand euros. It’s as if Barça were playing against a team from Wales.

What have you transmitted to your players?

I told them that they must play without pressure and with enthusiasm. The pressure is on them. We have to be aware of the rival they are, but I am not going to lock myself back or change my idea of the game. We want to win the tie. We’re not far enough away to be wiped out. We want to continue making history and winning the tie would be an economic injection for the club.

What if they pass the round?

We have already overcome the first challenge, now for the second and then continue dreaming, but our challenge this season is to win the League and the Cup. By winning that we will be able to play in the Champions League qualifiers, which is what this club aspires to.

Yes, on Monday the pairings are drawn in the draw. We could be among those who enter the new pot, who will be the strongest in Europe, or those who are already playing in these first qualifying rounds. We will see.