Hard and interesting
Tuesday, September 18, 2018
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Press conference of the Shakhtar Donetsk manager Paulo Fonseca before the game vs Hoffenheim
- Paulo, what strengths of Hoffenheim would you highlight? Who should we beware of?
- Good evening. We tried to learn about the opponents as many things as possible. We know that the team had a brilliant Bundesliga campaign last season, we know their strengths. The opponents play using a special tactical formation, and this doubly attracted our attention. We watched the videos many times, highlighted the possible weaknesses. As for the squad, almost nothing has changed since last season. I can’t and don’t like talking about individuals: Hoffenheim are strong as a team, and I won’t talk about individual football players. Also, if we take into account the fact that last Bundesliga season, the team claimed the second spot for the number of goals scored, we all understand perfectly well that we’ve got to play an absolutely attacking and dangerous team.
- In the offseason, Shakhtar renewed, with many newcomers needing time for adaption. Are you concerned with that before the match? The Champions League is a serious tournament. Are they ready to take part in it?
- No, I don’t worry about that at all. Of course, in the offseason, some really important and experienced players left us - Bernard, Fred, Srna, Ferreyra. Nevertheless, the young guys have come, and you noticed correctly that they need time for adaptation. I see them giving an excellent answer through their performance, so don’t worry about our team’s future.
- Are you concerned over the left halfback role due to Nem's injury? Have you decided who will be in his place?
- Indeed, recently Nem performed very well and helped Shakhtar. The actual fact is that at the moment, Wellington is injured, we can’t count on him. I’m not gonna hide the fact that tomorrow, Serhii Bolbat will play in that role. He also works hard and proves himself in training. I believe in this footballer.
- In December, you appeared at the post-match press conference wearing the Zorro mask. Perhaps, this year, you will come up with something extraordinary as well?
- To be honest, it was not I who decided so, but I was forced to do it because that’s a matter of the lost argument! For the moment, I haven’t thought about that yet, I don’t know. Let's see, anything might happen in the future.
- Starting this season, some Champions League meetings begin earlier. What’s your take on the innovation?
- The time for our tomorrow's match is absolutely normal, it won’t surprise anyone. It's strange when games begin nearly at 10 pm. In any case, it's about the UEFA fixture calendar, and we respect it. By the way, this issue was discussed at the coaches forum - the change is mainly due to commercial things and television broadcasts.
- We could say, it doesn’t matter at what time Shakhtar win?
- Since we win, there's no difference.
- In the press, they highlight the young age and achievements of Julian Nagelsmann. What do you think of the Hoffenheim manager?
- Right, they talk a lot about him, and I can say that he’s really a quality and excellent specialist. Nagelsmann is one of Germany's most promising coaches. His team is very well organised, they have their own special style of play. It’s hard to counteract the tactical formation that Hoffenheim uses. They put many players in the attacking third. Therefore, I believe the match will be interesting tactic wise. And really hard.
- Has the fact of currently playing in Kharkiv been a problem for you, instead of your native Donetsk? How does this affect your play?
- Of course, we all would like to play in Donetsk at our stadium. Unfortunately, since I came here, I haven’t had such an opportunity. Now we play in Kharkiv, we feel almost at home. People receive us really well, fans come to the stadium and root for us. By the way, I want to take advantage of the moment ... I hope that tomorrow the arena will be filled to capacity, the fans will come and support Shakhtar. Returning to the question, I would say that the team always responded well and showed positive results, so I don’t think this has a big effect on our performance.
- The Miners in formal suits ...
- I want to say a few words about this. We are dressed so for good. Imagine how happy our girlfriends and wives are when they see us. We return home (even if we didn’t win and didn’t show anything good on the field) being handsome, stylish - and they like it.
- Perhaps if Taison scores a goal, you will give him your Zorro costume?
- I think you should bet with Taison on that. A good idea.
- Good evening. We tried to learn about the opponents as many things as possible. We know that the team had a brilliant Bundesliga campaign last season, we know their strengths. The opponents play using a special tactical formation, and this doubly attracted our attention. We watched the videos many times, highlighted the possible weaknesses. As for the squad, almost nothing has changed since last season. I can’t and don’t like talking about individuals: Hoffenheim are strong as a team, and I won’t talk about individual football players. Also, if we take into account the fact that last Bundesliga season, the team claimed the second spot for the number of goals scored, we all understand perfectly well that we’ve got to play an absolutely attacking and dangerous team.
- In the offseason, Shakhtar renewed, with many newcomers needing time for adaption. Are you concerned with that before the match? The Champions League is a serious tournament. Are they ready to take part in it?
- No, I don’t worry about that at all. Of course, in the offseason, some really important and experienced players left us - Bernard, Fred, Srna, Ferreyra. Nevertheless, the young guys have come, and you noticed correctly that they need time for adaptation. I see them giving an excellent answer through their performance, so don’t worry about our team’s future.
- Are you concerned over the left halfback role due to Nem's injury? Have you decided who will be in his place?
- Indeed, recently Nem performed very well and helped Shakhtar. The actual fact is that at the moment, Wellington is injured, we can’t count on him. I’m not gonna hide the fact that tomorrow, Serhii Bolbat will play in that role. He also works hard and proves himself in training. I believe in this footballer.
- In December, you appeared at the post-match press conference wearing the Zorro mask. Perhaps, this year, you will come up with something extraordinary as well?
- To be honest, it was not I who decided so, but I was forced to do it because that’s a matter of the lost argument! For the moment, I haven’t thought about that yet, I don’t know. Let's see, anything might happen in the future.
- Starting this season, some Champions League meetings begin earlier. What’s your take on the innovation?
- The time for our tomorrow's match is absolutely normal, it won’t surprise anyone. It's strange when games begin nearly at 10 pm. In any case, it's about the UEFA fixture calendar, and we respect it. By the way, this issue was discussed at the coaches forum - the change is mainly due to commercial things and television broadcasts.
- We could say, it doesn’t matter at what time Shakhtar win?
- Since we win, there's no difference.
- In the press, they highlight the young age and achievements of Julian Nagelsmann. What do you think of the Hoffenheim manager?
- Right, they talk a lot about him, and I can say that he’s really a quality and excellent specialist. Nagelsmann is one of Germany's most promising coaches. His team is very well organised, they have their own special style of play. It’s hard to counteract the tactical formation that Hoffenheim uses. They put many players in the attacking third. Therefore, I believe the match will be interesting tactic wise. And really hard.
- Has the fact of currently playing in Kharkiv been a problem for you, instead of your native Donetsk? How does this affect your play?
- Of course, we all would like to play in Donetsk at our stadium. Unfortunately, since I came here, I haven’t had such an opportunity. Now we play in Kharkiv, we feel almost at home. People receive us really well, fans come to the stadium and root for us. By the way, I want to take advantage of the moment ... I hope that tomorrow the arena will be filled to capacity, the fans will come and support Shakhtar. Returning to the question, I would say that the team always responded well and showed positive results, so I don’t think this has a big effect on our performance.
- The Miners in formal suits ...
- I want to say a few words about this. We are dressed so for good. Imagine how happy our girlfriends and wives are when they see us. We return home (even if we didn’t win and didn’t show anything good on the field) being handsome, stylish - and they like it.
- Perhaps if Taison scores a goal, you will give him your Zorro costume?
- I think you should bet with Taison on that. A good idea.
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