We shouldn’t waste our chances
Wednesday, September 23, 2020
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Shakhtar midfielder Taras Stepanenko spoke on Shakhtar News about the team's preparation for the match vs Rukh
- Taras, you had a friendly match against Rukh. What can you say about your opponents?
- The team with ambitions. Rukh were absolutely happy when they qualified for the Premier League. Before our test game, they played Dynamo Kyiv. In the game against us, for as long as they were fit, they looked good defensively and launched counterattacks. I know from the news that they signed two foreigners to strengthen the team. Plus the clubs from Lviv are always distinguished by their character as they play from the first to the very last minute. We are expecting a tough fight especially since we’ve lost two points. In no case should we waste our chances, we need to get a victory in each round, so we prepare and psych ourselves up for it to the max.
- Currently, you have to play once in three to four days. How does this affect the players fitness wise?
- It's always hard to play once in three days. Every professional knows how to monitor their health, nutrition, sleep and recovery. Plus there will be some rotation anyway because there are enough players in the team and everyone should be ready to take the field and add some vigour to our play. In terms of fitness, there should be no issues at all.
Watch exclusive interviews with the Shakhtar players and coaches on Shakhtar Club and on Shakhtar TV. The Shakhtar News bulletin is aired at 19:36 on weekdays. The club channel is also available on the VOLIA network, satellite Xtra TV, as well as on the platforms of MEGOGO, OLL.TV, Sweet.tv and Divan.TV.
- The team with ambitions. Rukh were absolutely happy when they qualified for the Premier League. Before our test game, they played Dynamo Kyiv. In the game against us, for as long as they were fit, they looked good defensively and launched counterattacks. I know from the news that they signed two foreigners to strengthen the team. Plus the clubs from Lviv are always distinguished by their character as they play from the first to the very last minute. We are expecting a tough fight especially since we’ve lost two points. In no case should we waste our chances, we need to get a victory in each round, so we prepare and psych ourselves up for it to the max.
- Currently, you have to play once in three to four days. How does this affect the players fitness wise?
- It's always hard to play once in three days. Every professional knows how to monitor their health, nutrition, sleep and recovery. Plus there will be some rotation anyway because there are enough players in the team and everyone should be ready to take the field and add some vigour to our play. In terms of fitness, there should be no issues at all.
Watch exclusive interviews with the Shakhtar players and coaches on Shakhtar Club and on Shakhtar TV. The Shakhtar News bulletin is aired at 19:36 on weekdays. The club channel is also available on the VOLIA network, satellite Xtra TV, as well as on the platforms of MEGOGO, OLL.TV, Sweet.tv and Divan.TV.