We will continue winning
Saturday, September 1, 2018
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Today, the Shakhtar goalkeeping coach Antonio Ferreira turns 40. We wished the birthday boy many happy returns and asked him a few questions
- Antonio, happy big birthday! You are marking your third birthday in Ukraine. What are the most vivid emotions that you experienced during this period?
- Thank you so much for your wishes! As for the impressions, of course, the greatest joy I experienced after winning titles together with Shakhtar, as well as the Champions League success last season. Those memories will stay with me for all my life. I hope we will continue winning all the competitions we participate in.
- What does a goalkeeper mean for his team in modern football?
- Previously, the role of the goalkeeper was considered only from the point of view of bringing in the ball. Then everything changed, the key was his ability to keep the goal intact. Today, he is a very important element of the team, because he doesn’t just play defensively and seals off spaces, but also acts as the first forward and launches attacks. We have the example of Ederson from Man. City before our eyes. I suppose he is currently one of the best goalkeepers in terms of his footwork. This factor makes any team even stronger. So football has changed a lot.
- What do you make of the Champions League draw outcome for Shakhtar? What can the Miners achieve this European season?
- When you are in the Champions League group stage, this can’t be avoided, - there are no weak sides there, just the top clubs. Can we make it to the next stage? I think that yes. There is one contender who stands out - that’s Manchester City. The champions of England are different in style and performance, they are much stronger than the rest. We must try to do our maximum in the matches against Lyon and Hoffenheim. We believe that it’s possible to make it further. We will work hard because there are two more league games ahead, we’ve got time to prepare for the crucial first game, then we will start thinking about each game.
- Today you’ve turned 40 years old. What does this age mean to you?
- This is the age when you become more experienced, wise and mature. That’s an absolutely memorable date. Probably, I'll think about what my life was like before the age of 40, and I'll understand what I need to do in the future. I wish the best years of my life were still ahead. Today we’ve got a game, there with no festivities for sure. I hope that in the evening the team will present me with an excellent gift in the form of defeating Mariupol. And on Sunday, we will meet with my colleagues from the coaching staff and mark the event. I also plan to fly to Portugal for a couple of days and see my family.
- Thank you so much for your wishes! As for the impressions, of course, the greatest joy I experienced after winning titles together with Shakhtar, as well as the Champions League success last season. Those memories will stay with me for all my life. I hope we will continue winning all the competitions we participate in.
- What does a goalkeeper mean for his team in modern football?
- Previously, the role of the goalkeeper was considered only from the point of view of bringing in the ball. Then everything changed, the key was his ability to keep the goal intact. Today, he is a very important element of the team, because he doesn’t just play defensively and seals off spaces, but also acts as the first forward and launches attacks. We have the example of Ederson from Man. City before our eyes. I suppose he is currently one of the best goalkeepers in terms of his footwork. This factor makes any team even stronger. So football has changed a lot.
- What do you make of the Champions League draw outcome for Shakhtar? What can the Miners achieve this European season?
- When you are in the Champions League group stage, this can’t be avoided, - there are no weak sides there, just the top clubs. Can we make it to the next stage? I think that yes. There is one contender who stands out - that’s Manchester City. The champions of England are different in style and performance, they are much stronger than the rest. We must try to do our maximum in the matches against Lyon and Hoffenheim. We believe that it’s possible to make it further. We will work hard because there are two more league games ahead, we’ve got time to prepare for the crucial first game, then we will start thinking about each game.
- Today you’ve turned 40 years old. What does this age mean to you?
- This is the age when you become more experienced, wise and mature. That’s an absolutely memorable date. Probably, I'll think about what my life was like before the age of 40, and I'll understand what I need to do in the future. I wish the best years of my life were still ahead. Today we’ve got a game, there with no festivities for sure. I hope that in the evening the team will present me with an excellent gift in the form of defeating Mariupol. And on Sunday, we will meet with my colleagues from the coaching staff and mark the event. I also plan to fly to Portugal for a couple of days and see my family.