Everything should work out well
Monday, August 9, 2021
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Mykola Matviienko answered reporters' questions before the return leg of the UCL 3rd qualifying round tie vs Belgium’s Genk
- Mykola, how did the captain's armband in the first match against Genk affect your teammates’ attitude and your status in the team? Maybe someone cracked jokes about it?
- Of course, there were some jokes – our team just can’t do without it. But it didn’t affect my status as it's just an armband. It identifies the one who leads the team onto the pitch, nothing more than that. Everyone can take responsibility, show leadership qualities, prompt or help someone else.
- The traditional question about your defensive role. You normally play at left-back or centre-back. What does Roberto De Zerbi demand of you, what components does he ask you to step up? They say that the defenders at Shakhtar are very different now. For example, Marlon is strong positionally, but weaker while playing one on one.
- We have tactical sessions before each match. They are always different, and everyone who appears at a particular position must fulfil their tasks. There is no such thing as Matviienko doing one thing and Dodo doing another. Each defender on the field must do the same things as any other player at the same position. There is no distinction.
- What was the most difficult for you in the first meeting with Genk: adapting to the opponents’ play or opposing Ebere Onuachu? And what, in your opinion, will be most difficult in the return leg?
- In the first leg I played at left-back where I was also opposed by a very good and fast striker Ito. What was the hardest part? We prepared well, we knew how Genk would operate, in general that’s exactly what happened. I believe we have fulfilled the game plan. Today we are going to hold an evening session, the coaching staff will tell us how we should play the second leg. Shakhtar alway want to showcase their game - to control the ball and enjoy the game. I think everything should work out well for us. We won’t be afraid to play in order to claim a great home win.
- Of course, there were some jokes – our team just can’t do without it. But it didn’t affect my status as it's just an armband. It identifies the one who leads the team onto the pitch, nothing more than that. Everyone can take responsibility, show leadership qualities, prompt or help someone else.
- The traditional question about your defensive role. You normally play at left-back or centre-back. What does Roberto De Zerbi demand of you, what components does he ask you to step up? They say that the defenders at Shakhtar are very different now. For example, Marlon is strong positionally, but weaker while playing one on one.
- We have tactical sessions before each match. They are always different, and everyone who appears at a particular position must fulfil their tasks. There is no such thing as Matviienko doing one thing and Dodo doing another. Each defender on the field must do the same things as any other player at the same position. There is no distinction.
- What was the most difficult for you in the first meeting with Genk: adapting to the opponents’ play or opposing Ebere Onuachu? And what, in your opinion, will be most difficult in the return leg?
- In the first leg I played at left-back where I was also opposed by a very good and fast striker Ito. What was the hardest part? We prepared well, we knew how Genk would operate, in general that’s exactly what happened. I believe we have fulfilled the game plan. Today we are going to hold an evening session, the coaching staff will tell us how we should play the second leg. Shakhtar alway want to showcase their game - to control the ball and enjoy the game. I think everything should work out well for us. We won’t be afraid to play in order to claim a great home win.
