Artim Polozhani: On a pitch like that we can't talk about tactics or technique

The derby at Cair stadium on October 11, 2026, between Shkëndija (A) and Shkëndija (T) finished 1:1, a result that left the Tetovo side feeling they had dropped two crucial points in the title race.

Coach criticises pitch condition

After the match the visitors' coach, Artim Polozhani, expressed strong disappointment — not with individual performances but with the playing surface. He said the pitch prevented any proper football and made tactical or technical play impossible.

Pol​ozhani told reporters: "Yes, we are definitely disappointed, because the match could have gone even better for us in the first half. But what I must comment on is that on a pitch like this I cannot talk about manoeuvres, technical or tactical assessments, because there were no conditions for that. I told the players in the dressing room, because I have nothing to demand from them. At the moment when you do not have the basic conditions to play football, we cannot play football in that way. So, I have nothing to tell you, I have nothing to ask of you, because that is not possible, the pitch does not allow you to play the kind of game we demand was my address to them. Of course, compliments to the opposing team, because they fought the whole time."

He added that the situation affected the team’s preparation and continuity: "Of course, yes, cynicism, but it is not as if we have always had such cynicism… which means that we have always wanted to play football. That is why today the tactics. All week we did something different, we come here and we see water, an inappropriate pitch. Even now, when you come here, you work on tactics all week, you change your pattern, you change your way of play, that is not positive for us. Then I do not know about continuity, we definitely have to think about something else, because to be honest, I do not see my team like that, playing in this form for a long time, but maybe we must also adapt."

The coach’s comments underline growing frustration over match conditions as the league reaches the mid-season period, and raise questions about how teams can maintain tactical plans when pitches are unplayable.

Photo: press material from the event