We’re super motivated
Tuesday, December 11, 2018
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Press conference of Shakhtar manager Paulo Fonseca before the game vs Lyon in Kyiv
- Before turning to questions, I would like to discuss some points about our stay here. As you all know, unfortunately, we were not able to hold this match in Kharkiv. Then there was an opportunity to play in Kyiv, for which I want to sincerely thank the city and local authorities, as well as Dynamo FC and its president. I think those events in our country happen for the first time. We are playing the Champions League home game at the stadium of our major rivals. This didn’t happen before. I know that the president of Dynamo was the first to have raised his hand and said that we can play here. In my opinion, by this we show how big the Ukrainian people are. Football is a place for peace. These days, different things happen in the country: bans and martial law. Meanwhile, we prove that our country and our people are very kind-hearted. Only peace is needed. I want to say the sincere thank you to the president of FC Dynamo. I’m touched to the bottom of my heart.
- Paulo, can we expect Shakhtar to depart from their regular tactical model tomorrow, just as they did against Hoffenheim? In November, Lyon switched to the formation featuring three central defenders.
- Yes, you correctly mentioned that for some time they’ve been playing with three central defenders. Probably tomorrow, they will use the same formation. As for our team, you will have to wait until tomorrow night. We tried to prepare the best strategy to win it. You’ll see everything on the pitch.
- Are Marlos, Rakits’kyy and Taison ready?
- Yes, all three will be able to participate in the encounter.
- In each Champions League game, you conceded two or more goals. Have you managed to find and eliminate the cause of that?
- Indeed, in such a difficult competition against the top European clubs, certain weak links in our team were exposed. The opponents managed to resist our performance. We are trying to correct the mistakes, working on securing the clean sheets. It’s true that in some Champions League games, they netted more goals against us than I would’ve wished. We always strive not to concede any goals, we’ll try to do the same tomorrow.
- Usually, people place bets before such meetings. You already appeared as Zorro, and what will you do tomorrow if Shakhtar advance to the knockout phase?
- Nothing special. If this happens, I will just mark it with my players, my family and the club employees.
- Yet you’ve got tough opponents. How motivated are Shakhtar to win? Where is it more convenient and comfortable to play - in the Champions League or Europa League?
- Yes, the opponents are very strong, as evidenced by the past games. Everyone who watched the meetings between Lyon and Manchester City, understand perfectly well why I am saying that. If I'm not mistaken, they’ve suffered just two away defeats this season. However, our team and I believe in ourselves. In football, nothing is impossible. I’m convinced that tomorrow all players will be super-motivated. We’ll try to claim a win and make it further.
- The weather forecasters predict some heavy snowfall. Are you taking this aspect into account? How will it affect Shakhtar’s technical players? Is this a plus for your lads who are more experienced in playing in the snow?
- I don’t envisage any benefits weather wise. Speaking about the benefits, I can say that one of the teams will be fine with two kinds of the outcome, the other one will be happy only with winning it. Even if it snows, we still need to charge forward and attack, so it won’t be a plus at all. Anyway, let's see what the match itself reveals.
- How would you comment on the words of the president of Lyon that Shakhtar are a quality team, but they are still stronger?
- I suppose that if the president of Lyon says that they are stronger and better, it might mean one of the two things: either he creates some pressure and tries to put pressure on them to advance further, or just wants to motivate them.
- Over their entire history, Shakhtar made it to the Champions League knockout phase four times. Last time, it happened last season, so you can for the first time reach the Last 16 two years in a row. Compared to that period, you haven’t got four key players ... How prepared are you to achieve such a historic result?
- If so, it will be something fantastic. You are right, Shakhtar never advanced to the knockout stage twice in a row, but we hope we can do so. Yes, before the season, the team lost many important players who performed magnificently in that Champions League campaign. Some young guys appeared - they had little time, it was very difficult. If we manage to achieve the result and leave such a mark at Shakhtar, it will be very good – everyone will remember that. Perhaps, many people didn’t even believe that before the last round we would still have chances of advancing further in the Champions League. Even more so, because earlier this season, we had other difficulties: our two key players got injured, and we really missed them. If we manage to win, it will be fantastic. Through difficulties to the stars.
- Paulo, can we expect Shakhtar to depart from their regular tactical model tomorrow, just as they did against Hoffenheim? In November, Lyon switched to the formation featuring three central defenders.
- Yes, you correctly mentioned that for some time they’ve been playing with three central defenders. Probably tomorrow, they will use the same formation. As for our team, you will have to wait until tomorrow night. We tried to prepare the best strategy to win it. You’ll see everything on the pitch.
- Are Marlos, Rakits’kyy and Taison ready?
- Yes, all three will be able to participate in the encounter.
- In each Champions League game, you conceded two or more goals. Have you managed to find and eliminate the cause of that?
- Indeed, in such a difficult competition against the top European clubs, certain weak links in our team were exposed. The opponents managed to resist our performance. We are trying to correct the mistakes, working on securing the clean sheets. It’s true that in some Champions League games, they netted more goals against us than I would’ve wished. We always strive not to concede any goals, we’ll try to do the same tomorrow.
- Usually, people place bets before such meetings. You already appeared as Zorro, and what will you do tomorrow if Shakhtar advance to the knockout phase?
- Nothing special. If this happens, I will just mark it with my players, my family and the club employees.
- Yet you’ve got tough opponents. How motivated are Shakhtar to win? Where is it more convenient and comfortable to play - in the Champions League or Europa League?
- Yes, the opponents are very strong, as evidenced by the past games. Everyone who watched the meetings between Lyon and Manchester City, understand perfectly well why I am saying that. If I'm not mistaken, they’ve suffered just two away defeats this season. However, our team and I believe in ourselves. In football, nothing is impossible. I’m convinced that tomorrow all players will be super-motivated. We’ll try to claim a win and make it further.
- The weather forecasters predict some heavy snowfall. Are you taking this aspect into account? How will it affect Shakhtar’s technical players? Is this a plus for your lads who are more experienced in playing in the snow?
- I don’t envisage any benefits weather wise. Speaking about the benefits, I can say that one of the teams will be fine with two kinds of the outcome, the other one will be happy only with winning it. Even if it snows, we still need to charge forward and attack, so it won’t be a plus at all. Anyway, let's see what the match itself reveals.
- How would you comment on the words of the president of Lyon that Shakhtar are a quality team, but they are still stronger?
- I suppose that if the president of Lyon says that they are stronger and better, it might mean one of the two things: either he creates some pressure and tries to put pressure on them to advance further, or just wants to motivate them.
- Over their entire history, Shakhtar made it to the Champions League knockout phase four times. Last time, it happened last season, so you can for the first time reach the Last 16 two years in a row. Compared to that period, you haven’t got four key players ... How prepared are you to achieve such a historic result?
- If so, it will be something fantastic. You are right, Shakhtar never advanced to the knockout stage twice in a row, but we hope we can do so. Yes, before the season, the team lost many important players who performed magnificently in that Champions League campaign. Some young guys appeared - they had little time, it was very difficult. If we manage to achieve the result and leave such a mark at Shakhtar, it will be very good – everyone will remember that. Perhaps, many people didn’t even believe that before the last round we would still have chances of advancing further in the Champions League. Even more so, because earlier this season, we had other difficulties: our two key players got injured, and we really missed them. If we manage to win, it will be fantastic. Through difficulties to the stars.
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