If I had a choice, I wouldn’t play
Wednesday, March 10, 2021
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Roma head coach Paulo Fonseca speaks about the encounter with Shakhtar, the Miners’ counterattacks, Luis Castro’s work and personnel news
- You know Shakhtar well. What do you expect from the upcoming meeting?
- Yes, I know the team well - it was formed in order to play at this level - in the Europa League and the Champions League. Don’t forget that this season Shakhtar have beaten Real Madrid twice and tied with Inter twice. I think we’re facing a really tough match. As for me, Shakhtar is among Europe’s strongest sides on the counter.
- Will Dzeko be present on tomorrow’s roster?
- Today he trained, so tomorrow he’ll be able to take part in the game.
- How have Shakhtar changed after you left the team?
- The same players remain, but the playing module and tactic have changed. I used the 4-2-3-1 formation, and now it’s 4-1-4-1. Shakhtar have a very good coach. The team play in a completely new way.
- Will Villar participate in tomorrow’s match? Are his attributes suitable for playing in midfield with Pellegrini?
- There are three options - you need to wait until tomorrow. Right, Villar can play with Pellegrini, he can play with Diawara, and maybe Pellegrini with Diawara.
- Will you prefer the Kumbulla - Mancini - Smalling trident or will there be Cristante?
- Perhaps these three will play, or maybe Cristante.
- In the last 7 games you conceded 4 goals, and before that in 7 matches you conceded 15 goals. What’s changed? Where do you see the team growth?
- Yes, I think we have improved the defensive interplay which can be seen from the results. But I would like to stress that credit for that goes to the whole team. We focused on not allowing opponents to possess the ball and calmly make transitions to the attacking phase. In my opinion, that’s the reason behind it.
- What are the main differences between Fonseca’s Shakhtar and Castro’s Shakhtar?
- Luis did a good job. I’ve already mentioned the main differences: changed module which leads to changed positions and playing principle. Castro is a great coach, and he showed it by his work.
- A question about Shakhtar’s experience: how will it affect the choice of your tactic?
- We prepared for the match not depending on the fact that I used to coach Shakhtar and that this is my former team. We were preparing to meet with the team who showcase their own play, their own vision. Yes, I know the players, I worked with them, and they are familiar with my tactics, knowing me well as a coach. However, this is not the main thing. We will compete against Shakhtar who have their own playing philosophy.
- In the previous Europa League round, destiny again brought you together with Braga, and now with Shakhtar. Besides, you previously played against Roma with the Miners. Do you feel like setting some kind of a record for the number of meetings with your former or future clubs? What does this mean to you?
- If I had any choice, I wouldn’t play. I don't like playing against the teams that I used to coach, but this is how things pan out. I wouldn’t play against Shakhtar, or even against Braga.
- In Ukraine, Shakhtar already play home games in the presence of spectators. In Rome tomorrow, you will have to play in front of empty stands. How can this affect the result?
- I am delighted that spectators can attend football matches in Ukraine. Unfortunately, we really miss the tiffozi right now. Let's hope that in Ukraine we will play with spectators present.
- How does Ibanez feel? Will he be able to play tomorrow?
- Yes, he will. He took part in the last two training sessions,
- Yes, I know the team well - it was formed in order to play at this level - in the Europa League and the Champions League. Don’t forget that this season Shakhtar have beaten Real Madrid twice and tied with Inter twice. I think we’re facing a really tough match. As for me, Shakhtar is among Europe’s strongest sides on the counter.
- Will Dzeko be present on tomorrow’s roster?
- Today he trained, so tomorrow he’ll be able to take part in the game.
- How have Shakhtar changed after you left the team?
- The same players remain, but the playing module and tactic have changed. I used the 4-2-3-1 formation, and now it’s 4-1-4-1. Shakhtar have a very good coach. The team play in a completely new way.
- Will Villar participate in tomorrow’s match? Are his attributes suitable for playing in midfield with Pellegrini?
- There are three options - you need to wait until tomorrow. Right, Villar can play with Pellegrini, he can play with Diawara, and maybe Pellegrini with Diawara.
- Will you prefer the Kumbulla - Mancini - Smalling trident or will there be Cristante?
- Perhaps these three will play, or maybe Cristante.
- In the last 7 games you conceded 4 goals, and before that in 7 matches you conceded 15 goals. What’s changed? Where do you see the team growth?
- Yes, I think we have improved the defensive interplay which can be seen from the results. But I would like to stress that credit for that goes to the whole team. We focused on not allowing opponents to possess the ball and calmly make transitions to the attacking phase. In my opinion, that’s the reason behind it.
- What are the main differences between Fonseca’s Shakhtar and Castro’s Shakhtar?
- Luis did a good job. I’ve already mentioned the main differences: changed module which leads to changed positions and playing principle. Castro is a great coach, and he showed it by his work.
- A question about Shakhtar’s experience: how will it affect the choice of your tactic?
- We prepared for the match not depending on the fact that I used to coach Shakhtar and that this is my former team. We were preparing to meet with the team who showcase their own play, their own vision. Yes, I know the players, I worked with them, and they are familiar with my tactics, knowing me well as a coach. However, this is not the main thing. We will compete against Shakhtar who have their own playing philosophy.
- In the previous Europa League round, destiny again brought you together with Braga, and now with Shakhtar. Besides, you previously played against Roma with the Miners. Do you feel like setting some kind of a record for the number of meetings with your former or future clubs? What does this mean to you?
- If I had any choice, I wouldn’t play. I don't like playing against the teams that I used to coach, but this is how things pan out. I wouldn’t play against Shakhtar, or even against Braga.
- In Ukraine, Shakhtar already play home games in the presence of spectators. In Rome tomorrow, you will have to play in front of empty stands. How can this affect the result?
- I am delighted that spectators can attend football matches in Ukraine. Unfortunately, we really miss the tiffozi right now. Let's hope that in Ukraine we will play with spectators present.
- How does Ibanez feel? Will he be able to play tomorrow?
- Yes, he will. He took part in the last two training sessions,
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