Playing with fans present is great
Friday, February 26, 2021
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Shakhtar head coach Luis Castro reflects on reaching the Europa League last-16, substitutions, shortcomings in the play and fans’ support
- How would you rate the team performance on a ten-point scale? And why did it seem to the onlookers that the players still failed the match plan despite the win?
- The main goal was to get to the next round. In this kind of competition, the most important thing is whether you advance further or not. And the round consists of two games. The second goal was to keep a clean sheet - we also fulfilled that. The third goal was to win it. We did it too. We’d like the game to be a bit more spectacular. Perhaps it didn’t work out as planned. We started very well, played really well for the first 25 minutes. The plan was to score an early one and then play differently. Unfortunately, it failed. But we played well for 25 minutes, and Maccabi started to take risks because they had nothing to lose. As for our strategy, basically we managed to control our defensive play well. We would like more attacking football - perhaps it didn’t fully work. On aggregate, taking into account all the goals we achieved, I would give a score of 10. If we talk about the game aesthetics, about beautiful football, I would probably give seven. But most importantly, we’ve advanced further.
- At half-time, you replaced Marlos and Solomon. What did they fail and what did they want to change?
- In fact, football today is really difficult. Why? On our way, especially last year, we faced many difficult situations. That’s the corona situation when the matches were cancelled, rescheduled ... We shouldn’t forget that we are currently playing in three competitions - the Championship, the Ukrainian Cup and the Europa League. Yesterday, journalists asked me if I would make any rotation in this match. As I said, the rotation could be carried out both early in the game and during the first half, at half-time and during the second half. And so it happened. It’s clear that we always take into account the strategic components of the game, but not only. It’s worth thinking about the future, taking into account the kind of fixtures we will have. The substitutes Tete, Marcos Antonio, Konoplyanka, Korniienko and Fernando added just what we needed for this game, but then we tried to spare the guys who had spent more time on the field to be available. This coming Sunday, we’ll have a match against Zorya.
- What’s the reason behind so many errors in the final third? Why were there so many wide passes and lost balls?
- Right. I’m a person who most often doesn’t complain at all about certain conditions. But the truth is that in Tel Aviv we felt that the pitch was in a much better condition, it allowed us to showcase better football. While here, of course, we can’t have that kind of field due to the climate, because of freezing cold and frost. Of course, the pitch is far from perfect. This takes away a little confidence from our team. Do not forget that in the Ukrainian league we are the club who scored the most goals, several goals more than our arch-rivals Dynamo Kyiv. We scored goals against Real Madrid both away and at home. Well, on the other hand, we were crushed by Borussia, conceding 10 goals. But I think that this balance between the scored and conceded goals still remains. Don’t forget about Shakhtar's DNA, the more coherent interplay. The moment of completing attacks nearly always happens in the penalty area. We've never been the kind of team who shoot from outside the box or delivers many long balls. Our players are trying to actually reach the limit and hit the target at the very last moment. Thanks to the technique and creativity of our footballers, this often works. And the truth is one: we are in the Europa League Round of 16 now. We went through a very difficult group stage, now we managed to win in the Last 32 - this is the most important thing. Can we be better, carry out better attacks, convert more? Yes, of course. We really want all that and will work on to step it up every time.
- The draw is tomorrow. Perhaps you have some wishes: who would you like to play against? At least the team of what country?
- Firstly, games are still going on, it’s not clear who will advance further. To be honest, I haven't had time to check it yet. Immediately after the game, I was with my players and the coaching staff, discussing the course of our game. In two seasons, we’ve already had 20 European meetings and lost only five. The other 15 are wins or draws. This suggests that our team are ready to play any opponents at any stadium in the world. We are never afraid of that and are ready to meet any club face to face. Let's wait for the draw and see who we get. I’ve got no particular preferences.
- How much did you feel Stepanenko’s absence? Will he be ready for Zorya?
- The situation is still being assessed. There is no exact date for him to resume training in the general group. But I want to say that Maycon who played as number six, performed all his duties perfectly well, he was really effective, at least he did everything that we required of him. Stepanenko is a player who brings a huge amount of positive energy to the field, charging the rest of the players with it, he is very demanding towards his teammates. Of course, players like him are always in short supply. But Maycon did an excellent job as well.
- The spectators returned to the stands: today, more than 10 thousand were present. Did you feel their support?
- Yes, I did. By the way, even if the press conference ended, I would like to say a few words about the fans. We can’t keep silent about this now. The stadium is filling up again - it’s just fantastic! It is filled with a new soul, a new heart, the passions. It's great to hear that sound when you launch an attack, to hear the fans roar loudly when you score a goal. The whole team is overwhelmed with emotions. I want to dedicate the victory primarily to my players who tried really hard, worked hard during this Europa League stage. They fought to advance further, and they succeeded. Hopefully the same energy will be present in the future. And, of course, to our fans who love us so much, they are very loyal, always support us, they never forget their favourite team. Playing with the fans present is great, and we hope that it will last on.