Shakhtar vs Gent: Pitmen’s comments
Thursday, October 20, 2016
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After the match, the Donetsk team players shared their impressions
Maksym Malyshev, Shakhtar midfielder:
- We’ve encountered the solid opponents who showcase some great football. We scored an early goal and continued attacking. Overall, we turned in a great performance. It’s true that today we found it a bit unusual to play a 3-5-2 team. But I think, we coped with that. So the scoreline corresponds to what was happening on the field. Gent, basically, are not easy opponents. They also had a good match. But we learnt them well. We knew that they like to put pressure high up field with only three defenders remaining at the back, as well as one holding midfielder. As a result, we managed to take advantage of those gaps, with our pacey players regularly bursting into open spaces. As for me personally, I have tried to do what the coach said, and just followed his game plan. I am also glad to have scored. I really wanted it, since this is my first goal in European competitions. I'm happy that we won it, kept a clean sheet and scored many goals. I think the fans liked this match.
The Belgians controlled the ball pretty well, but we coped with their tactic and launched some good counterattacks. We wanted to score as many goals as possible, and only when the score got 5-0, we felt that the game was over
Viktor Kovalenko, Shakhtar midfielder:
- Gent are a good team. The Belgians controlled the ball pretty well, but we coped with their tactic and launched some good counterattacks. We wanted to score as many goals as possible, and only when the score got 5-0, we felt that the game was over. My goal? I just saw the unguarded goal and dared to shoot on target. Fortunately, it worked. I’ve never scored any goals like that before. Regarding my injury, only after a medical tomorrow I will find out what exactly has happened. During the match, the foot started aching, not allowing me to accelerate or take a shot, so I had to be replaced.
Gent are a good offensive team, who know how to control the ball. But Shakhtar still outclassed them and took advantage of the mistakes made by the opponents. In the remaining matches we will strive to play just as well and achieve victories
Yaroslav Rakitskyy, Shakhtar defender:
- I believe, we have achieved a good result. Gent are a good offensive team, who know how to control the ball. But Shakhtar still outclassed them and took advantage of the mistakes made by the opponents. Basically, we have scored everything we could, though there were some more chances. Nevertheless, I consider this club to be one of the strongest in our group. In the remaining matches we will strive to play just as well and achieve victories. As for me, I found it difficult today, because I dropped out for about 20 days. But that’s OK, I managed it and the team confidently won. I think I will rediscover my form after a couple of days of training. Most importantly, I shouldn’t get injured.