Without Taison and Marlos
Monday, October 22, 2018
|
Press conference of the Shakhtar manager Paulo Fonseca ahead of the game vs Manchester City in Kharkiv
- Paulo, good evening. Have you decided on who will replace Taison and Marlos? Will it be a transition to 4–4–2 or you’ll use your usual formation?
- Good evening. No, we will not change the formation no matter what. We will play with the same formation that we’ve been using almost from the very beginning of my work at Shakhtar. Taison and Marlos? Yes, we lost two, probably the most important elements of the team. Ismaily’s appearance is also in question. We will try to do with the people we have.
- Since last season, when you met with the City, their line-up has remained virtually unchanged. Will it benefit you tomorrow?
- You can look at the question at different angles. Yes, Manchester City have remained the same, they even got strengthened with some players. Talking about us, tomorrow there will actually be a different team. Several important players have left: Srna, Ferreyra, Fred, Bernard ... However, some of the guys in the current squad will probably find themselves in this kind of competitive context for the first time. We count on our strengths.
- What are the issues with Taison and Marlos?
- Taison got injured in the match against Zorya and dropped out for at least six weeks. Marlos has got an injury after the meeting with Desna. I’m sure that he will miss the next two games.
- Have you got any other personnel losses besides the ones you mentioned?
- No, the rest are ready. Honestly, we are going through such a difficult period, that even my assistant coach has got injured.
- During the match against Desna?
- No, not at all - at today's training session.
- Considering the standings, will Shakhtar play on top tomorrow or rely on the defensive and counterattacking football?
- We focus on not changing our principles. We always try to play in the same way against any opponent, regardless of whether we are meeting with Manchester City or another club. Will it be difficult tomorrow? Yes. We understand how strong the opponents are collectively and individually. They are hard to resist. Perhaps, at certain times, we will be defending for longer, to play without the ball. But, at the slightest opportunity, we plan to take the initiative and show our game.
- Last weekend, Manchester City defeated Burnley 5-0. Does the fact that all the goals were scored by different players show how diverse they are defensively?
- We must be attentive in absolutely everything. We know very well how strong the Man. City are and what the players are able to do: at any moment each of them can unbalance our play. We need to be fully focussed in every aspect.
- Good evening. No, we will not change the formation no matter what. We will play with the same formation that we’ve been using almost from the very beginning of my work at Shakhtar. Taison and Marlos? Yes, we lost two, probably the most important elements of the team. Ismaily’s appearance is also in question. We will try to do with the people we have.
- Since last season, when you met with the City, their line-up has remained virtually unchanged. Will it benefit you tomorrow?
- You can look at the question at different angles. Yes, Manchester City have remained the same, they even got strengthened with some players. Talking about us, tomorrow there will actually be a different team. Several important players have left: Srna, Ferreyra, Fred, Bernard ... However, some of the guys in the current squad will probably find themselves in this kind of competitive context for the first time. We count on our strengths.
- What are the issues with Taison and Marlos?
- Taison got injured in the match against Zorya and dropped out for at least six weeks. Marlos has got an injury after the meeting with Desna. I’m sure that he will miss the next two games.
- Have you got any other personnel losses besides the ones you mentioned?
- No, the rest are ready. Honestly, we are going through such a difficult period, that even my assistant coach has got injured.
- During the match against Desna?
- No, not at all - at today's training session.
- Considering the standings, will Shakhtar play on top tomorrow or rely on the defensive and counterattacking football?
- We focus on not changing our principles. We always try to play in the same way against any opponent, regardless of whether we are meeting with Manchester City or another club. Will it be difficult tomorrow? Yes. We understand how strong the opponents are collectively and individually. They are hard to resist. Perhaps, at certain times, we will be defending for longer, to play without the ball. But, at the slightest opportunity, we plan to take the initiative and show our game.
- Last weekend, Manchester City defeated Burnley 5-0. Does the fact that all the goals were scored by different players show how diverse they are defensively?
- We must be attentive in absolutely everything. We know very well how strong the Man. City are and what the players are able to do: at any moment each of them can unbalance our play. We need to be fully focussed in every aspect.
Start Slideshow
