“I think it’s a very interesting group,” Martinez explained. “We are going to meet Austria, which we have not faced for a long time. Same for Sweden. Afterwards, there is a new team, Azerbaijan, it will be a different challenge, and Estonia, which we know well, we have faced them in several competitions. So it’s quite interesting, very diverse, with different styles. I think it will be a competitive group overall. »
The Red Devils inherited one of seven five-team groups, with the other three comprising six teams. “It makes a difference to what we will do in 2023,” said the coach. “That means you have two dates to fill with friends, which perhaps offer the possibility of approaching things in a different way. It will not change our approach to qualifying, but it will change the approach to this international year. When you have two friendlies, you have to make sense of those friendlies. For example, intending to promote new talent, intending to adapt what the coming year might bring… I think that’s what’s interesting, we will have eight very competitive games and the other two will be used for other purposes. »
