They must give their maximum
Monday, August 9, 2021
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At the press conference, Shakhtar head coach Roberto De Zerbi told how the team should approach the return match against Genk, spoke about Ukrainian and foreign players and the state of Ismaily and Solomon
- What will be the key in this match? Have you reviewed the first leg? What needs to be fixed?
- I reviewed the meeting against Genk after we returned from Belgium. Most importantly, we should play like we did in the first three matches. To watch carefully how our opponents operate. Particularly, not to lose the ball at the most dangerous positions. And, of course, to score when chances arise.
- How strongly has the last-round defeat affect you? Have the team recovered mentally?
- I already said right after the match: there are no good and bad defeats. Any defeat is very painful. I talked a lot with the team, immediately told the players that I didn't like it. We are preparing for the clash exactly as I want. I'm not talking about technical and tactical situations. The most important thing for me is that we are mentally ready. I’m sure it will be so. Of course, I'm not going to tell you the stuff we discussed with the guys in the dressing room. I think we have a very strong team. There is no division of matches into difficult and easy ones: when the guys put on Shakhtar shirts, they must always give their maximum.
- Will Ismaily participate in tomorrow's match? And without Solomon, Shakhtar are a completely different team.
- Today Ismaily is going to train with everyone else. Solomon cannot play yet – he’s got an injury. But we’ve got the right players even without Solomon and Ismaily to win and qualify for the next round. We shouldn't think that we won 2-1 in Belgium, but we should deliver a great performance tomorrow. Tomorrow’s clash will start with the score of 0-0. The guys should play the way they can. And exactly the same must be done in any Ukrainian league meeting – we’ll start that this Friday. After each victory, you must immediately forget it and at the same second start thinking about the next match.
- After the first meeting with Genk in which only two Ukrainians appeared, some disappointment just ‘exploded’ on social media: how can you root for the team line-up featuring just two Ukrainians? What could you answer to this?
- I have already said that I don’t quite like this question. Whether the footballer is Ukrainian, Italian or Brazilian, he will play if he deserves it. If a Ukrainian deserves to play, he will play. Of course, there are no restrictions in the Champions League like those in the domestic league. I have already shown that, for example, on Saturday - six Ukrainians appeared in the starting lineup. I believe that we have two types of Ukrainians in our team: the experienced ones like Matviienko, Stepanenko, Marlos, Korniienko, Trubin, Pyatov, Kryvtsov, and young ones like Konoplia, Bondarenko, Mudryk, Sikan. We need to raise their level to make them ready, getting the same experience as the rest. But for me, when I make any decision, Ukrainians and Brazilians are on the same level.
- Have you made any changes in the process of preparation for tomorrow's match, taking into account the defeat at Oleksandriia? If so, which ones?
- No, I haven’t.
- I reviewed the meeting against Genk after we returned from Belgium. Most importantly, we should play like we did in the first three matches. To watch carefully how our opponents operate. Particularly, not to lose the ball at the most dangerous positions. And, of course, to score when chances arise.
- How strongly has the last-round defeat affect you? Have the team recovered mentally?
- I already said right after the match: there are no good and bad defeats. Any defeat is very painful. I talked a lot with the team, immediately told the players that I didn't like it. We are preparing for the clash exactly as I want. I'm not talking about technical and tactical situations. The most important thing for me is that we are mentally ready. I’m sure it will be so. Of course, I'm not going to tell you the stuff we discussed with the guys in the dressing room. I think we have a very strong team. There is no division of matches into difficult and easy ones: when the guys put on Shakhtar shirts, they must always give their maximum.
- Will Ismaily participate in tomorrow's match? And without Solomon, Shakhtar are a completely different team.
- Today Ismaily is going to train with everyone else. Solomon cannot play yet – he’s got an injury. But we’ve got the right players even without Solomon and Ismaily to win and qualify for the next round. We shouldn't think that we won 2-1 in Belgium, but we should deliver a great performance tomorrow. Tomorrow’s clash will start with the score of 0-0. The guys should play the way they can. And exactly the same must be done in any Ukrainian league meeting – we’ll start that this Friday. After each victory, you must immediately forget it and at the same second start thinking about the next match.
- After the first meeting with Genk in which only two Ukrainians appeared, some disappointment just ‘exploded’ on social media: how can you root for the team line-up featuring just two Ukrainians? What could you answer to this?
- I have already said that I don’t quite like this question. Whether the footballer is Ukrainian, Italian or Brazilian, he will play if he deserves it. If a Ukrainian deserves to play, he will play. Of course, there are no restrictions in the Champions League like those in the domestic league. I have already shown that, for example, on Saturday - six Ukrainians appeared in the starting lineup. I believe that we have two types of Ukrainians in our team: the experienced ones like Matviienko, Stepanenko, Marlos, Korniienko, Trubin, Pyatov, Kryvtsov, and young ones like Konoplia, Bondarenko, Mudryk, Sikan. We need to raise their level to make them ready, getting the same experience as the rest. But for me, when I make any decision, Ukrainians and Brazilians are on the same level.
- Have you made any changes in the process of preparation for tomorrow's match, taking into account the defeat at Oleksandriia? If so, which ones?
- No, I haven’t.
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