Even chances
Tuesday, December 10, 2019
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Shakhtar manager Luis Castro shared his take on Atalanta’s strength and has finalised the player list for the decider in Kharkiv
- Good evening everyone. Both teams want to make it to the Champions League Round of 16. I think the chances are absolutely even - 50 to 50. We are facing a very interesting meeting between great teams with strong footballers. The competition will last to the very end.
- Have you already decided on the starting lineup?
- Yes, absolutely.
- In the current UPL season, Taison earned all of his cards for unsportsmanlike behaviour. Have you had a conversation with him about this? Perhaps you imposed some sanctions?
- In such situations, everything is discussed and decided within the club, we don’t go public on it. I think the player understands perfectly well when it was his fault and what needs to be fixed. Of course, it was important to have a conversation with him and resolve the situation as quickly as possible. And yet, we’ve gathered here to discuss tomorrow's match, and not to cover the off-topic issues.
- How significant are the injuries of Ilicic and Zapata for Atalanta’s attacking third, according to you?
- Before the season, they submit a player list featuring many football players, and some of them can replace some others. Of course, I'm sure Gasperini would like to have absolutely everyone at his disposal now. I prefer the same thing. But I don’t think that because of one or two players, Atalanta’s play will change a lot.
- Two central defenders won’t be able to benefit Atalanta either - there are only three of them left, without the possibility of varying the lineup. Also, please share your opinion about Ruslan Malinovskyi and his role in Atalanta.
- Atalanta is not characterized by individual players. This is a very strong team as a whole. I always try to consider the opponents from the point of view of their teamwork. Yes, on top of his other attributes, Malinovskyi also boasts very powerful shots from outside the box. Ilicic, for example, brings the ball closer to the goal and only then shoots. However, we shouldn’t take into account only individuals. The most important thing is the team dynamics, their manner of defending and attacking, their transitions, set pieces. Whoever plays, whatever the lineup, Atalanta shows the same style. And how to resist that is our major interest.
- Have you already decided on the starting lineup?
- Yes, absolutely.
- In the current UPL season, Taison earned all of his cards for unsportsmanlike behaviour. Have you had a conversation with him about this? Perhaps you imposed some sanctions?
- In such situations, everything is discussed and decided within the club, we don’t go public on it. I think the player understands perfectly well when it was his fault and what needs to be fixed. Of course, it was important to have a conversation with him and resolve the situation as quickly as possible. And yet, we’ve gathered here to discuss tomorrow's match, and not to cover the off-topic issues.
- How significant are the injuries of Ilicic and Zapata for Atalanta’s attacking third, according to you?
- Before the season, they submit a player list featuring many football players, and some of them can replace some others. Of course, I'm sure Gasperini would like to have absolutely everyone at his disposal now. I prefer the same thing. But I don’t think that because of one or two players, Atalanta’s play will change a lot.
- Two central defenders won’t be able to benefit Atalanta either - there are only three of them left, without the possibility of varying the lineup. Also, please share your opinion about Ruslan Malinovskyi and his role in Atalanta.
- Atalanta is not characterized by individual players. This is a very strong team as a whole. I always try to consider the opponents from the point of view of their teamwork. Yes, on top of his other attributes, Malinovskyi also boasts very powerful shots from outside the box. Ilicic, for example, brings the ball closer to the goal and only then shoots. However, we shouldn’t take into account only individuals. The most important thing is the team dynamics, their manner of defending and attacking, their transitions, set pieces. Whoever plays, whatever the lineup, Atalanta shows the same style. And how to resist that is our major interest.
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