I want to claim wins
Thursday, February 1, 2018
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Shakhtar midfielder Viktor Kovalenko speaks about winter training and upcoming matches
- Everyone is trying hard, willing to showcase their performance and be in optimum form for the second part of the season. We laid a pretty good foundation in Turkey, where we did a lot of running, now training with the ball with increasing intensity in Dubai. For us, a plus is that this year the Premier League resumes earlier - before the Champions League. We have important matches ahead, the gap is small, so we must showcase a decent performance and claim wins to become champions for the second year in a row.
- Practically every session begins with fitness. Is it necessary to undergo such a workload at this stage?
- According to the plan, we will continue doing this throughout the season. It’s important for everyone to have a good physical form. Another reason for building muscles is suffering fewer injuries.
- Do you have enough time for recovery between your training sessions?
- The masseurs help us. Cold water is also very important, plus we have an opportunity to relax in the evening.
- Can you feel that Paulo Fonseca is gradually preparing the squad for competitive games?
- We are approaching the second training match against Slavia so far. Probably, the coach will give more time to other players - everyone wants to be in the starting line-up, so they work to the maximum.
- Do you feel the benefit of friendlies and the difference in the opponents’ performance?
- Yes, we meet with strong clubs - it’s tough but interesting with them. I want to claim wins, as we haven’t done so for quite a while, but you understand that the taste of victory adds positive emotions. Then it's played better! Of course, we should save it for the competitive games, but at the training camps we also strive to always achieve results.
- Are you following Roma?
- I watched a few games. They are serious contenders, having some star players - Roma are very strong. However, our preparation for the first Ukrainian League game is more important at the moment, only then comes the Champions League.
- And yet what are the chances? Everyone says that this draw wasn’t bad for Shakhtar.
- The meeting will begin with a score of 0-0, so there’s a fifty-fifty chance. We also have a strong team, we haven’t advanced from the group in vain. Right, Roma isn't the most star-studded club, our lot is really good.
- Practically every session begins with fitness. Is it necessary to undergo such a workload at this stage?
- According to the plan, we will continue doing this throughout the season. It’s important for everyone to have a good physical form. Another reason for building muscles is suffering fewer injuries.
- Do you have enough time for recovery between your training sessions?
- The masseurs help us. Cold water is also very important, plus we have an opportunity to relax in the evening.
- Can you feel that Paulo Fonseca is gradually preparing the squad for competitive games?
- We are approaching the second training match against Slavia so far. Probably, the coach will give more time to other players - everyone wants to be in the starting line-up, so they work to the maximum.
- Do you feel the benefit of friendlies and the difference in the opponents’ performance?
- Yes, we meet with strong clubs - it’s tough but interesting with them. I want to claim wins, as we haven’t done so for quite a while, but you understand that the taste of victory adds positive emotions. Then it's played better! Of course, we should save it for the competitive games, but at the training camps we also strive to always achieve results.
- Are you following Roma?
- I watched a few games. They are serious contenders, having some star players - Roma are very strong. However, our preparation for the first Ukrainian League game is more important at the moment, only then comes the Champions League.
- And yet what are the chances? Everyone says that this draw wasn’t bad for Shakhtar.
- The meeting will begin with a score of 0-0, so there’s a fifty-fifty chance. We also have a strong team, we haven’t advanced from the group in vain. Right, Roma isn't the most star-studded club, our lot is really good.