The team is progressing
Friday, July 5, 2019
|
Shakhtar manager Luis Castro reflects on the friendly game vs Uerdingen 05, the team development and the return of Blanco Leschuk
- We fully controlled the course of the game. I want to mention that for 25 minutes in the second half we played well and created a few chances. Before the break, our attempt hit the post. We showed some interesting principles, although we operated feeling great fatigue, and that, of course, somewhat complicated our task. Today, a number of players have spent 90 minutes for the first time on the training camp. In general, it was a useful match in terms of certain results and analysis.
- Did the players manage to give their maximum in this heat?
- It’s always very difficult to give your maximum, especially in such conditions and at the beginning of the season, when there are many training sessions and matches. Moreover, for the first time during this summer break, the guys have played for 90 minutes. They tried hard and showed themselves very well. But we know that their best today is not their best after 15 to 30 days. The team is progressing, the starting line-up has not shaped up yet. We watch them and get information that is important to use, and we will definitely analyze this game. There were lots of technical errors, in particular, passing ones, which somewhat reduced our efficiency. When we improve this aspect, the team will be better.
- Gustavo Blanco Leschuk made his first appearance after returning to Shakhtar and scored a goal. What’s your take on his performance?
- Right, he joined us just two days ago and gave his all in today's game. I liked what he did. He is the player who also fights for a spot in the line-up. Gustavo will work and will make his way at Shakhtar, just like everyone else. The most important thing at the moment is that the guys devote themselves to every training and game in order to develop their attributes. We’re happy with that. We hope and are sure that they will continue in the same vein in order to approach the competitive games in the top form.
- At 18:00 today, there will be a match against Copenhagen. Will the team use the same formation?
- Honestly, I find it more interesting to discuss the game dynamics, rather than formations. Formations are static things, they lack the main thing which is dynamics. Shakhtar display themselves in a quite interesting way, and over time, we want to make our dynamics more variable.
- Did the players manage to give their maximum in this heat?
- It’s always very difficult to give your maximum, especially in such conditions and at the beginning of the season, when there are many training sessions and matches. Moreover, for the first time during this summer break, the guys have played for 90 minutes. They tried hard and showed themselves very well. But we know that their best today is not their best after 15 to 30 days. The team is progressing, the starting line-up has not shaped up yet. We watch them and get information that is important to use, and we will definitely analyze this game. There were lots of technical errors, in particular, passing ones, which somewhat reduced our efficiency. When we improve this aspect, the team will be better.
- Gustavo Blanco Leschuk made his first appearance after returning to Shakhtar and scored a goal. What’s your take on his performance?
- Right, he joined us just two days ago and gave his all in today's game. I liked what he did. He is the player who also fights for a spot in the line-up. Gustavo will work and will make his way at Shakhtar, just like everyone else. The most important thing at the moment is that the guys devote themselves to every training and game in order to develop their attributes. We’re happy with that. We hope and are sure that they will continue in the same vein in order to approach the competitive games in the top form.
- At 18:00 today, there will be a match against Copenhagen. Will the team use the same formation?
- Honestly, I find it more interesting to discuss the game dynamics, rather than formations. Formations are static things, they lack the main thing which is dynamics. Shakhtar display themselves in a quite interesting way, and over time, we want to make our dynamics more variable.