90 minutes on our pitch ahead
Wednesday, August 4, 2021
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Roberto De Zerbi reflects on the 2-1 first-leg victory over Genk, the strength of Shakhtar and the opponents, Matviienko's play at left-back, Solomon’s state and young footballers
- Maycon in some cases prompted his teammates regarding positions. Do the players still lack mutual understanding or Maycon is going to have this role now?
- Maycon is a master. I think the players figured out how to play. And Maycon, based on the stuff he showed, has an above-average understanding.
- What’s the reason behind Matviienko's appearance at left-back? Did you want to see Vitao competing against Genk's towering forward or were you unhappy with Ismaily and Korniienko as candidates for that role?
- There are opponents on the field. I wanted Vitao, who is taller, to play against the Genk striker. And I wanted Matviienko, as a lateral, full-back, to challenge Ito, undoubtedly a strong footballer. And this didn’t lower our level. Both delivered a very good, high-quality performance.
- Alan Patrick scored the winner through Ismaily’s assist, but still we’d love to mention the brilliant pass by Marlos. Is Marlos coming out as a substitute a planned action before the match, or did you want to change the game over its course?
- I know that I’ve got a very strong team. Of course, when we play, it all depends on the opponents. But being on the bench, looking to the right or to the left, I’m sure that I have many strong players who can take the field and play just as well.
- Is this a well-deserved victory? What do you think about the second leg - will it be easier than the first one?
- I’m very happy with the outcome, but the issue of reaching the next round is still open. There are another 90 minutes on our pitch ahead. It’s a great honour for me to coach such players because they play the way I ask them to.
- You said that Genk is a very strong team. Can you explain why you think so?
- Because Genk has such strong players as Ito, Bongonda and some others. Normally, I don’t pay any compliments, therefore, when I talk about it, I’m very honest. We still have a home match ahead. If we succeed in qualifying for the next round, it will mean that we deserve it.
- At half-time you replaced Solomon with Alan Patrick. Is Manor injured? How serious is it?
- In the coming days, we'll see how Solomon feels. Of course, I worry a lot because he’s a strong footballer. But at that position we’ve got another strong footballer Mudryk - a young player, just like Konoplia, like Sudakov, and we must quickly raise their level.