I dedicate the win to all Ukrainians
Wednesday, November 28, 2018
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Press conference of Shakhtar manager Paulo Fonseca after the victory in Sinsheim
- Your original tactic largely predetermined the outcome. When did you get the idea to play vs Hoffenheim with three central defenders?
- After we analysed our first leg in Kharkiv. We also reviewed many games of Hoffenheim. We realised that it would be very difficult because the opponents place a large number of players near our defensive third. So, we decided to deploy three central defenders. We didn’t have much time to practise the formation - just one day. But in many ways it worked.
- The plan for just one game against Hoffenheim?
- Yes, we’ve never played like that. The strategy specifically for this encounter. This doesn’t mean that we’ll continue operating in the same way.
- We had a feeling that your idea turned into a problem when Shakhtar gained the numerical advantage and didn’t manage to change the formation. Winners can’t be judged, but don’t you think that you could seize the initiative and play sharper earlier, without getting the adrenalin going like that?
- You just said about adrenaline ... In general, the game really turned out very spectacular. This very kind of football attracts fans. Everyone who came to the stadium or watched the match on TV, I suppose, really enjoyed it. Both teams had multiple scoring chances. The play was open and offensive. Talking about our tactic, perhaps we should have tried to keep the two-goal advantage instead of conceding goals. At that point, certain things didn’t work. Nevertheless, in the end, we netted the winning goal - those are the fruit of our faith and work until the very final whistle.
- Thanks to the victory, Shakhtar remained in the competition for the knockout stages, with the game in Kharkiv getting crucial. Do you know how the situation is now developing, that the team refused to fly? Have you got a safe option for this occasion?
- Right, indeed, now everything is in our hands. We understand perfectly well that we need to win the next game vs Lyon. We know how difficult the fight will be. By drawing with Manchester City, Lyon proved once again that they are a great club. Now, regarding the situation developing around Kharkiv: I personally think that the game will be held right there, I haven’t heard any other instructions yet. But if UEFA decides to hold the meeting elsewhere for some reason, we will try to play in another city in our country.
- Yesterday you said that Shakhtar would stick to their style, while answering the question of whether you plan to build it around counterattacking. Tell us what today’s style was because everyone is accustomed to the fact that the Miners tend to keep possession of the ball most of the time, and not to give it away to the opponents.
- I will repeat the same thing today: we try never to depart from our principles, we always want to show our football. In this match, we changed only the formation. It’s true that we didn’t have possession of the ball for as long as we’d like to. Hoffenheim are also the strong opponents. Even with ten men, they held the ball more than us in certain periods. This is not exactly what I expected. I wanted Shakhtar to possess the ball more than it happened in the game.
- Taison got 9.9 points according to WhoScored and was the best one on the pitch. What is his role?
- It's no secret that Taison is a very important player for us. With him, we always step it up and display a completely different play. For some time, we had certain issues with the leaders: we played without Taison, now we do without Marlos. And when they are together on the pitch, they make the difference.
- What do you make of Matviienko’s performance at centre-back?
- Good play. Yes, at certain moments he could not cope with the opponents - I mean the physical strength among other things. But in general, the team proved themselves, and Matviienko did as well.
- Ismaily and Danchenko swapped the wings several times. Was that a plan for Hoffenheim or something new in Shakhtar’s tactic?
- Nope, it was by no means practised. It happened after set pieces - corners or free kicks. At quick transition to attack, they just continued to operate down the same wings. They could swap back only when the game was stopped again.
- After the first meeting, you said that it’s more difficult against the rivals having three central defenders. Nagelsmann also changed the formation, starting with two central and two wide defenders. How much did it surprise you? Did it get any easier?
- We were preparing for both formations. After examining the match between Hoffenheim and the City, we saw that they also played with two central defenders. It was necessary to anticipate both situations. But, to be honest, we didn’t pay that much attention to launching attacks, focussing on their first attacking line, where they might have caused us the most difficulties. Since we were preparing for both options, we knew what to do with any positioning of Hoffenheim. In conclusion, I would like to dedicate the victory to all the fans to have come to this stadium to support us, and to all Ukrainians.
- After we analysed our first leg in Kharkiv. We also reviewed many games of Hoffenheim. We realised that it would be very difficult because the opponents place a large number of players near our defensive third. So, we decided to deploy three central defenders. We didn’t have much time to practise the formation - just one day. But in many ways it worked.
- The plan for just one game against Hoffenheim?
- Yes, we’ve never played like that. The strategy specifically for this encounter. This doesn’t mean that we’ll continue operating in the same way.
- We had a feeling that your idea turned into a problem when Shakhtar gained the numerical advantage and didn’t manage to change the formation. Winners can’t be judged, but don’t you think that you could seize the initiative and play sharper earlier, without getting the adrenalin going like that?
- You just said about adrenaline ... In general, the game really turned out very spectacular. This very kind of football attracts fans. Everyone who came to the stadium or watched the match on TV, I suppose, really enjoyed it. Both teams had multiple scoring chances. The play was open and offensive. Talking about our tactic, perhaps we should have tried to keep the two-goal advantage instead of conceding goals. At that point, certain things didn’t work. Nevertheless, in the end, we netted the winning goal - those are the fruit of our faith and work until the very final whistle.
- Thanks to the victory, Shakhtar remained in the competition for the knockout stages, with the game in Kharkiv getting crucial. Do you know how the situation is now developing, that the team refused to fly? Have you got a safe option for this occasion?
- Right, indeed, now everything is in our hands. We understand perfectly well that we need to win the next game vs Lyon. We know how difficult the fight will be. By drawing with Manchester City, Lyon proved once again that they are a great club. Now, regarding the situation developing around Kharkiv: I personally think that the game will be held right there, I haven’t heard any other instructions yet. But if UEFA decides to hold the meeting elsewhere for some reason, we will try to play in another city in our country.
- Yesterday you said that Shakhtar would stick to their style, while answering the question of whether you plan to build it around counterattacking. Tell us what today’s style was because everyone is accustomed to the fact that the Miners tend to keep possession of the ball most of the time, and not to give it away to the opponents.
- I will repeat the same thing today: we try never to depart from our principles, we always want to show our football. In this match, we changed only the formation. It’s true that we didn’t have possession of the ball for as long as we’d like to. Hoffenheim are also the strong opponents. Even with ten men, they held the ball more than us in certain periods. This is not exactly what I expected. I wanted Shakhtar to possess the ball more than it happened in the game.
- Taison got 9.9 points according to WhoScored and was the best one on the pitch. What is his role?
- It's no secret that Taison is a very important player for us. With him, we always step it up and display a completely different play. For some time, we had certain issues with the leaders: we played without Taison, now we do without Marlos. And when they are together on the pitch, they make the difference.
- What do you make of Matviienko’s performance at centre-back?
- Good play. Yes, at certain moments he could not cope with the opponents - I mean the physical strength among other things. But in general, the team proved themselves, and Matviienko did as well.
- Ismaily and Danchenko swapped the wings several times. Was that a plan for Hoffenheim or something new in Shakhtar’s tactic?
- Nope, it was by no means practised. It happened after set pieces - corners or free kicks. At quick transition to attack, they just continued to operate down the same wings. They could swap back only when the game was stopped again.
- After the first meeting, you said that it’s more difficult against the rivals having three central defenders. Nagelsmann also changed the formation, starting with two central and two wide defenders. How much did it surprise you? Did it get any easier?
- We were preparing for both formations. After examining the match between Hoffenheim and the City, we saw that they also played with two central defenders. It was necessary to anticipate both situations. But, to be honest, we didn’t pay that much attention to launching attacks, focussing on their first attacking line, where they might have caused us the most difficulties. Since we were preparing for both options, we knew what to do with any positioning of Hoffenheim. In conclusion, I would like to dedicate the victory to all the fans to have come to this stadium to support us, and to all Ukrainians.