Victory was our main goal
Friday, April 27, 2018
|
The reaction of Shakhtar manager Paulo Fonseca after the game in Mariupol
- The game turned out tough just as we had expected. The hosts have lowered all their thirds and defended nearly all the time, apparently, having decided not to attack at all today. This, just like the high grass, made it more difficult to rip open their spaces. Nevertheless, we were the only team who created the chances in the hope of claiming a win, converting one of them and earning a goal. I’d like to stress once again that the match was very difficult.
- Perhaps the reason behind that is the fact of your fifth meeting with Mariupol this season? Isn’t that a bit too much?
- Right, the opponents learn more about each other, making it more difficult to win every time. However, the victory was our main goal, and we claimed it quite deservedly.
- Don’t you think that the matches would be more eventful if the loaned footballers played for Mariupol? We would have someone to attack and create chances.
- For me, it's not a question, but a rule. When our players move on loan to another club, they know they’ll not be able to meet with us. This is the law that exists in many European countries.
- Were Shakhtar ready for so many collisions?
- Good question. Yes, the match involved a lot of aggression, one-on-ones, and challenges. Earlier, I said about the pitch condition, which also leads to that. We showed ourselves very well defensively: played in a very balanced way, won multiple challenges and didn’t allow Mariupol to create any danger.
- The question everyone’s concerned with is this: are you more inclined to extend the deal with Shakhtar?
- I don’t know, at the moment different possibilities are available. The club offered me to extend it, we lead a dialogue and study certain things. We will make a decision and announce it to you soon.
- But would you like to stay?
- I really like it at Shakhtar. And at the same time, there are different aspects of the contract, where we have to reach an agreement. I think it's fully noticeable that I'm glad to be at this club and in Ukraine. People respect me, and I'm happy here.
- In the first half, we had an impression that your players are more concerned with the encounter with Dynamo. Is it hard to psych up the players for such interim matches?
- Look, at this stage of the championship - regardless of whether we meet with Dynamo or with another team - the guys should be motivated. We need to win now. In the first half, there were difficulties with reading some of the game aspects, we were a little sluggish with the ball. Again, want to mention the high grass - this complicates the task. But in any case, the lads are always motivated, simply because they are obligated to be like that! We must win all the matches.
- Will we see Mariupol’s former player Ruslan Fomin on the pitch this season?
- We'll see if he gets the chance. Fomin does a lot and works well, he’s a great professional, but the difficulty lies in the fact that Ferreyra and Kayode score goals.
- Butko and Zubkov had to leave the pitch today. Is there any information about their injuries?
- Not yet the most accurate. Zubkov immediately went to the hospital with a suspicion of a fractured arm. Butko has a problem with his knee. We will evaluate the situation and understand how serious everything is.
- Perhaps the reason behind that is the fact of your fifth meeting with Mariupol this season? Isn’t that a bit too much?
- Right, the opponents learn more about each other, making it more difficult to win every time. However, the victory was our main goal, and we claimed it quite deservedly.
- Don’t you think that the matches would be more eventful if the loaned footballers played for Mariupol? We would have someone to attack and create chances.
- For me, it's not a question, but a rule. When our players move on loan to another club, they know they’ll not be able to meet with us. This is the law that exists in many European countries.
- Were Shakhtar ready for so many collisions?
- Good question. Yes, the match involved a lot of aggression, one-on-ones, and challenges. Earlier, I said about the pitch condition, which also leads to that. We showed ourselves very well defensively: played in a very balanced way, won multiple challenges and didn’t allow Mariupol to create any danger.
- The question everyone’s concerned with is this: are you more inclined to extend the deal with Shakhtar?
- I don’t know, at the moment different possibilities are available. The club offered me to extend it, we lead a dialogue and study certain things. We will make a decision and announce it to you soon.
- But would you like to stay?
- I really like it at Shakhtar. And at the same time, there are different aspects of the contract, where we have to reach an agreement. I think it's fully noticeable that I'm glad to be at this club and in Ukraine. People respect me, and I'm happy here.
- In the first half, we had an impression that your players are more concerned with the encounter with Dynamo. Is it hard to psych up the players for such interim matches?
- Look, at this stage of the championship - regardless of whether we meet with Dynamo or with another team - the guys should be motivated. We need to win now. In the first half, there were difficulties with reading some of the game aspects, we were a little sluggish with the ball. Again, want to mention the high grass - this complicates the task. But in any case, the lads are always motivated, simply because they are obligated to be like that! We must win all the matches.
- Will we see Mariupol’s former player Ruslan Fomin on the pitch this season?
- We'll see if he gets the chance. Fomin does a lot and works well, he’s a great professional, but the difficulty lies in the fact that Ferreyra and Kayode score goals.
- Butko and Zubkov had to leave the pitch today. Is there any information about their injuries?
- Not yet the most accurate. Zubkov immediately went to the hospital with a suspicion of a fractured arm. Butko has a problem with his knee. We will evaluate the situation and understand how serious everything is.