Chornomorets v Shakhtar: Pitmen’s comments
Saturday, July 30, 2016
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Footballers of the Donetsk club reflect on the victory over Odesa-based Chornomorets
Darijo Srna, Shakhtar captain:
- It was not easy. We confronted a young team headed by a promising young coach. The opponents focused on defending, anyone would find it hard to open up such defence. But we managed to win, being delighted at the result. I think that we managed to claim all three points through our mettle and the performance quality, we also scored great goals. Of course, we can say that we won through our class. As for the refereeing, there were some controversial situations, even though I did not want to mention it. We know that it will be very difficult to become the champions this season. Given the situation we are in, they should show respect. Today, Kucher and Rakits’kyy operated at centre-back. They are very important players in our team, this time they have proved it again. I expect that we will only get stronger. You are asking whether the Champions League is more important to us than the Ukrainian League? At this stage, yes. We are going to have a very tough game on the synthetic pitch. We have the advantage of two goals, but we need to keep the situation under control.
- It was not easy. We confronted a young team headed by a promising young coach. The opponents focused on defending, anyone would find it hard to open up such defence. But we managed to win, being delighted at the result. I think that we managed to claim all three points through our mettle and the performance quality, we also scored great goals. Of course, we can say that we won through our class. As for the refereeing, there were some controversial situations, even though I did not want to mention it. We know that it will be very difficult to become the champions this season. Given the situation we are in, they should show respect. Today, Kucher and Rakits’kyy operated at centre-back. They are very important players in our team, this time they have proved it again. I expect that we will only get stronger. You are asking whether the Champions League is more important to us than the Ukrainian League? At this stage, yes. We are going to have a very tough game on the synthetic pitch. We have the advantage of two goals, but we need to keep the situation under control.
Today we had two different halves: in the first one, Chornomorets defended well, apparently, Odesa had more strength, while in the second there appeared more spaces, plus we focused and converted our chances
Viktor Kovalenko, Shakhtar midfielder:
- I am glad to have been entrusted with a spot in the starting line-up. I tried to fulfil the game plan. Today we had two different halves: in the first one, Chornomorets defended well, apparently, Odesa had more strength, while in the second there appeared more spaces, plus we focused and converted our chances. Mr. Fonseca perfectly knows whom to field, I think this time everyone’s taken advantage of their chances. We will strive to remain the first team regulars. Basically, we have been working with the coaching staff long enough, so we well understand the requirements of our mentors.
- I am glad to have been entrusted with a spot in the starting line-up. I tried to fulfil the game plan. Today we had two different halves: in the first one, Chornomorets defended well, apparently, Odesa had more strength, while in the second there appeared more spaces, plus we focused and converted our chances. Mr. Fonseca perfectly knows whom to field, I think this time everyone’s taken advantage of their chances. We will strive to remain the first team regulars. Basically, we have been working with the coaching staff long enough, so we well understand the requirements of our mentors.