Match marathon
Thursday, August 8, 2019
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Shakhtar manager Luis Castro spoke about preparation for the encounter with Dynamo and Viktor Kovalenko’s injury
- Mister, did you watch the Brugge vs Dynamo game? What’s your impression of the Kyiv side’s performance?
- Yes, of course. That’s Dynamo with opportunities. Very often in the second half, the team try to bring the opponents to one side, then changing it and attacking with ball delivery into the box. Actually, they operated against us in a similar way.
- Is your preparation for Saturday’s clash any different from the usual preparation?
- Not at all. We know what to focus on in attack, defence, and in transitions. We are preparing for the game against Dynamo just like for the rest of our games. We know that more of the emotional component will be present in this case, which is absolutely normal for the Clasico. We all have gone through a certain number of such encounters and know how to cope with it. The Super Cup match was slightly different. We will be one hundred percent ready, just as we were for that encounter, but this time we want to achieve a different result.
- Do you think the playing style will be different from that present in the super cup meeting or will it be about the same?
- No. Those are the teams who always display the same thing, and the difference is possible only in details. The Championship is a marathon of matches, while the Super Cup is just one game. So the difference can only be in the rivals’ vision of the upcoming game. In this case, nothing will be won or lost. Our goal is only victory. Shakhtar need this in order to continue claiming positive results in the Championship. However, if we win it, it still won’t say anything about the future, as well as any other outcome after the final whistle.
- Your players dominated the Super Cup game but lost because of two errors. What needs to be done or changed in order to win on Saturday?
- We conceded a goal from the corner. Then we did what we were supposed to: we reacted and went to press Dynamo. We carried out an attack, Marlos was already in the penalty area, and he might have converted that chance ... Meanwhile, we lost the defensive balance, which in no case should be allowed when you charge forward. It turned fatal for us. We are all aware of the things that caused our defeat in the Super Cup. And I don’t belittle Dynamo’s contribution to their success. In football, the one who scores more goals wins - I accept it. I want to say that the small things to be taken into account will be decisive in the game. We know that and will practise them carefully.
- When can we expect Viktor Kovalenko on the pitch?
- He is recovering from a serious injury. We thought that everything would not be that complicated, but, unfortunately, it takes more time. Kovalenko will be out for another two to three weeks. The medical department is very competent, trying to do the maximum, but sometimes it depends just on time.
- Yes, of course. That’s Dynamo with opportunities. Very often in the second half, the team try to bring the opponents to one side, then changing it and attacking with ball delivery into the box. Actually, they operated against us in a similar way.
- Is your preparation for Saturday’s clash any different from the usual preparation?
- Not at all. We know what to focus on in attack, defence, and in transitions. We are preparing for the game against Dynamo just like for the rest of our games. We know that more of the emotional component will be present in this case, which is absolutely normal for the Clasico. We all have gone through a certain number of such encounters and know how to cope with it. The Super Cup match was slightly different. We will be one hundred percent ready, just as we were for that encounter, but this time we want to achieve a different result.
- Do you think the playing style will be different from that present in the super cup meeting or will it be about the same?
- No. Those are the teams who always display the same thing, and the difference is possible only in details. The Championship is a marathon of matches, while the Super Cup is just one game. So the difference can only be in the rivals’ vision of the upcoming game. In this case, nothing will be won or lost. Our goal is only victory. Shakhtar need this in order to continue claiming positive results in the Championship. However, if we win it, it still won’t say anything about the future, as well as any other outcome after the final whistle.
- Your players dominated the Super Cup game but lost because of two errors. What needs to be done or changed in order to win on Saturday?
- We conceded a goal from the corner. Then we did what we were supposed to: we reacted and went to press Dynamo. We carried out an attack, Marlos was already in the penalty area, and he might have converted that chance ... Meanwhile, we lost the defensive balance, which in no case should be allowed when you charge forward. It turned fatal for us. We are all aware of the things that caused our defeat in the Super Cup. And I don’t belittle Dynamo’s contribution to their success. In football, the one who scores more goals wins - I accept it. I want to say that the small things to be taken into account will be decisive in the game. We know that and will practise them carefully.
- When can we expect Viktor Kovalenko on the pitch?
- He is recovering from a serious injury. We thought that everything would not be that complicated, but, unfortunately, it takes more time. Kovalenko will be out for another two to three weeks. The medical department is very competent, trying to do the maximum, but sometimes it depends just on time.