We step it up bit by bit
Thursday, August 11, 2022
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Shakhtar head coach Igor Jovicevic summed up the matchday after victory over Al-Adalah (1-0) and Domzale (3-0)
– Busy day with two friendlies. How would you estimate work of your charges?
– It is clear that after the match vs Roma where we have pushed ourselves to the limit, where the team were at their maximum at the moment, taking into account the atmosphere, level of our opponents, we looked decent. We continued loading of our players and planned that majority of them will play 90 minutes each. This is important taking into consideration that we have 13 days before the championship starts. Match duration had an impact. The guys sagged a little bit at the end, but it was expected. Busy day. We played against two teams, because everyone is important to me. I want to give opportunity to play 90 minutes to most of the players here. It was not bad. Of course, there are many segments that we have to improve, but in general, idea to play with 4–4–2 formation in the first half that we have used for the first time was very good in some moments. Such variety is interesting for me, because not everyone use only one formation in the UPL. Sometimes footballers have to “change their chip” and understand their role in 4–4–2, 3–4–3, 5–2–3 formations, like we played vs Roma, or 4–1–4–1 formation, like we did this time. The footballers have to be adapted for every match. So it is a good day. I like the evening friendly as well in relation to the idea, combination set, and goals. There were chances to increase the scoring. It is great no one is injured, because, again, loads are noticeable, the first 90-minute match always gives exhaustion. Now the players have a day off and on Friday we will start preparation for two more matches scheduled for August 15.
– What can you say about the opponents?
– Of course, the opponents play in the way you allow them. It depends on how you hold the initiative, hold own play, rhythm and pace. It is clear that we are currently better, more qualified as a team, although they are already playing own championship, but their level is obvious. This is football, there are specific categories. However, you have to push yourself to the limit anyway, because you can model your play by means of such matches, especially in attack, in transferring moment after losing the ball. We saw some counterattacks towards our goal, it also shall be taken into account: when pace decreases, you are exhausted or relaxed, any team has the chance to score against you. This is what I was talking about before the match vs Roma: you can defeat everyone in one match, everything is possible in one match. So you must believe in the process and daily work and step it up bit by bit. The team is being formed and I like what I see. Thus, we have a lot of work in the future, a lot of segments, but not much time to implement it and demonstrate in the pitch. UPL starts on August 23 and the Champions League on September 6 or 7, and we have to become a team, show everything we can at the moment.
– This time two different squads played. Is there understanding of the first team in the future season?
– They fight for the place in the first team every day. I wanted to see Kulakov and Sikan in the playing mode as two forwards in the morning. They are both aggressive, fast, very mobile and show good results. Maybe they do not control so much space as Traore, but they will be able to play in 4–4–2 formation in case of good cooperation. We wanted to play a false nine with Totovytskyi: he can do it perfectly, he understands the game, can work between the lines, that is very uncomfortable for personal defenders, or he pulls someone out, then our winger can run behind the back of this defender. Andriy makes difference, has enough talent, intellect and he is one of the options with a false nine. So we are waiting for Traore’s return. It is a very big factor for us at attacking phase. His qualities and desire that he demonstrates will benefit us.
– Mykhailo Mudryk made a brace against the opponent. How do you qualify his efficiency?
– You know, when the winger has no statistics at the end of the season, it is a bad indicator. I talked to him several times regarding this topic: when he scores 2 times in 19 matches, it is not enough for a key player of our team. We work this on both mentally and at practice. He has to convert his chances, take better position and be able to show his speed. It is not enough just to be fast, if there is no understanding. Personally for me, as a coach, it is a winning combination when a footballer has desire to work and intellect. And today’s performance is a small copy of a picture that we shall see in the future.
– Ukrainian fans were present at the stadium. Did you feel there support?
– I always feel support, every day: in football, in life, in conversations with friends from Ukraine. And we support as much as we can. We really want this war to stop, old life to return in free, independent Ukraine, people to be happy. We are working in it, and matches help. Did you see the match in Rome? How much this event helped to raise funds and create the corresponding image. Firstly, these matches are watched in Ukraine, and secondly, we can show the world everything that is happening in the country. Therefore I support these matches that are not only useful for us from a sport side, but are important for the entire country.
– It is clear that after the match vs Roma where we have pushed ourselves to the limit, where the team were at their maximum at the moment, taking into account the atmosphere, level of our opponents, we looked decent. We continued loading of our players and planned that majority of them will play 90 minutes each. This is important taking into consideration that we have 13 days before the championship starts. Match duration had an impact. The guys sagged a little bit at the end, but it was expected. Busy day. We played against two teams, because everyone is important to me. I want to give opportunity to play 90 minutes to most of the players here. It was not bad. Of course, there are many segments that we have to improve, but in general, idea to play with 4–4–2 formation in the first half that we have used for the first time was very good in some moments. Such variety is interesting for me, because not everyone use only one formation in the UPL. Sometimes footballers have to “change their chip” and understand their role in 4–4–2, 3–4–3, 5–2–3 formations, like we played vs Roma, or 4–1–4–1 formation, like we did this time. The footballers have to be adapted for every match. So it is a good day. I like the evening friendly as well in relation to the idea, combination set, and goals. There were chances to increase the scoring. It is great no one is injured, because, again, loads are noticeable, the first 90-minute match always gives exhaustion. Now the players have a day off and on Friday we will start preparation for two more matches scheduled for August 15.
– What can you say about the opponents?
– Of course, the opponents play in the way you allow them. It depends on how you hold the initiative, hold own play, rhythm and pace. It is clear that we are currently better, more qualified as a team, although they are already playing own championship, but their level is obvious. This is football, there are specific categories. However, you have to push yourself to the limit anyway, because you can model your play by means of such matches, especially in attack, in transferring moment after losing the ball. We saw some counterattacks towards our goal, it also shall be taken into account: when pace decreases, you are exhausted or relaxed, any team has the chance to score against you. This is what I was talking about before the match vs Roma: you can defeat everyone in one match, everything is possible in one match. So you must believe in the process and daily work and step it up bit by bit. The team is being formed and I like what I see. Thus, we have a lot of work in the future, a lot of segments, but not much time to implement it and demonstrate in the pitch. UPL starts on August 23 and the Champions League on September 6 or 7, and we have to become a team, show everything we can at the moment.
– This time two different squads played. Is there understanding of the first team in the future season?
– They fight for the place in the first team every day. I wanted to see Kulakov and Sikan in the playing mode as two forwards in the morning. They are both aggressive, fast, very mobile and show good results. Maybe they do not control so much space as Traore, but they will be able to play in 4–4–2 formation in case of good cooperation. We wanted to play a false nine with Totovytskyi: he can do it perfectly, he understands the game, can work between the lines, that is very uncomfortable for personal defenders, or he pulls someone out, then our winger can run behind the back of this defender. Andriy makes difference, has enough talent, intellect and he is one of the options with a false nine. So we are waiting for Traore’s return. It is a very big factor for us at attacking phase. His qualities and desire that he demonstrates will benefit us.
– Mykhailo Mudryk made a brace against the opponent. How do you qualify his efficiency?
– You know, when the winger has no statistics at the end of the season, it is a bad indicator. I talked to him several times regarding this topic: when he scores 2 times in 19 matches, it is not enough for a key player of our team. We work this on both mentally and at practice. He has to convert his chances, take better position and be able to show his speed. It is not enough just to be fast, if there is no understanding. Personally for me, as a coach, it is a winning combination when a footballer has desire to work and intellect. And today’s performance is a small copy of a picture that we shall see in the future.
– Ukrainian fans were present at the stadium. Did you feel there support?
– I always feel support, every day: in football, in life, in conversations with friends from Ukraine. And we support as much as we can. We really want this war to stop, old life to return in free, independent Ukraine, people to be happy. We are working in it, and matches help. Did you see the match in Rome? How much this event helped to raise funds and create the corresponding image. Firstly, these matches are watched in Ukraine, and secondly, we can show the world everything that is happening in the country. Therefore I support these matches that are not only useful for us from a sport side, but are important for the entire country.