Building a new team
Monday, August 8, 2022
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Interview with Shakhtar head coach Igor Jovicevic summing up the charity match in Rome
– What can you say about the game?
– Difficult match according to the result. This is a good test for us. We saw some situations that will benefit us, moments that we shall improve. It is difficult, even unfair, to compare our lineup with Roma by budgets and level of the footballers. The first half was good for us during 30 minutes: we successfully played out against pressing from Roma, we were able to do the things we have practiced. It was difficult for the opponent to find Zaniolo and Dybala, who was not seen at all first 30 minutes, between the lines. But point moments and mistakes determined the course of match. There is a difference, when you go to a break with 1-0 or 3-0. I think, this is where the game changes, as well as emotions of the footballers. And, of course, players of such a level as Roma, with such atmosphere at the stadium punish for every mistake. We did enough through combinations in the second half, but there were no specific actions in the last third of the pitch. In this case, as they say, everything can be bought with money, so the European market has 70 or 100-million players. So it is a good lesson for us, to look where we are now, what we have done successfully, what we did at the required level. Roma are a physically powerful team that defeated us in challenges. They are currently starting a championship that is also a small nuance. We still have work to do. So we will continue preparation. I think this match will be an asset for us, despite the result. Such result will not bring us down, although it looks not very well. But we have to understand who our opponent was, where did we play, in what atmosphere. It is the first experience like this for many footballers. Again: the first half-time will especially be an asset for us; the second half-time will be as well if taking the combinatorial set into account, but mistakes of our footballers under such pressure determined the match result.
– What did you like in the team performance the most during first 30 minutes?
– As I said, it is a transition from defence under press. You have to feel the spirit, not to be afraid to make a mistake in your penalty area, in the first zone, as we reached the third zone easily, in order to come here with desire to play football knowing about such atmosphere, about 70 thousand fans, about presentation of the footballers of maximum level. So, if we analyze, this was a really good match with the ball; we got closer very well without the ball to avoid through-balls. Yes, of course, skill is very important, when you can create a moment of half-moment through a short pass or a one-two combination, but we controlled this during the first 30 minutes, and I can only commend the Romans for their skilled play, when they scored the first time. Besides, two footballers did not play: Stepanenko, who is very important for our team, recovering Traore and Zubkov. There is a space for a progress, but the idea itself that was in some moments, makes it possible for us to think that we can play against the large teams. I think that Roma is the favourite in fighting for Scudetto this year. So it is better to lose now than later. And this can only make us stronger.
– You mentioned the absence of Taras Stepanenko on the field? Was it really noticeable?
– Sure. When he does not play, even the Ukrainian national team has problems. As we are building a new team Stepanenko is an absolute leader and muscles of the team for us. We lacked muscles in comparison with the rival. We have good combinatorial set with the ball, but lacked in challenges. Plus individual mistakes drove the match in favor of the rivals. It is easy to play when you dominate 3-0. It would be easy for us as well in such situation. This is what we have. We continue working. This is a good experience for all of us.
– Everyone appreciated the atmosphere. What do you think about the decision to play Roma vs Shakhtar charity match in general?
– We can only thank Roma. They proved once again that they are a great club. This is a charity match, this is a lot of money raised to help Ukraine: army, civilians, children, everyone who requires such help. I think this event is the most important in this situation. 70 thousand people in the very heart of Rome and all the funds raised go to charity. Probably, this is how sport can help in solving political situations. I am very proud that Roma gave us an opportunity to play this match, that we play decently, looking good in specific moments. But the result is what we have. We must accept it and overcome it calmly.
– Difficult match according to the result. This is a good test for us. We saw some situations that will benefit us, moments that we shall improve. It is difficult, even unfair, to compare our lineup with Roma by budgets and level of the footballers. The first half was good for us during 30 minutes: we successfully played out against pressing from Roma, we were able to do the things we have practiced. It was difficult for the opponent to find Zaniolo and Dybala, who was not seen at all first 30 minutes, between the lines. But point moments and mistakes determined the course of match. There is a difference, when you go to a break with 1-0 or 3-0. I think, this is where the game changes, as well as emotions of the footballers. And, of course, players of such a level as Roma, with such atmosphere at the stadium punish for every mistake. We did enough through combinations in the second half, but there were no specific actions in the last third of the pitch. In this case, as they say, everything can be bought with money, so the European market has 70 or 100-million players. So it is a good lesson for us, to look where we are now, what we have done successfully, what we did at the required level. Roma are a physically powerful team that defeated us in challenges. They are currently starting a championship that is also a small nuance. We still have work to do. So we will continue preparation. I think this match will be an asset for us, despite the result. Such result will not bring us down, although it looks not very well. But we have to understand who our opponent was, where did we play, in what atmosphere. It is the first experience like this for many footballers. Again: the first half-time will especially be an asset for us; the second half-time will be as well if taking the combinatorial set into account, but mistakes of our footballers under such pressure determined the match result.
– What did you like in the team performance the most during first 30 minutes?
– As I said, it is a transition from defence under press. You have to feel the spirit, not to be afraid to make a mistake in your penalty area, in the first zone, as we reached the third zone easily, in order to come here with desire to play football knowing about such atmosphere, about 70 thousand fans, about presentation of the footballers of maximum level. So, if we analyze, this was a really good match with the ball; we got closer very well without the ball to avoid through-balls. Yes, of course, skill is very important, when you can create a moment of half-moment through a short pass or a one-two combination, but we controlled this during the first 30 minutes, and I can only commend the Romans for their skilled play, when they scored the first time. Besides, two footballers did not play: Stepanenko, who is very important for our team, recovering Traore and Zubkov. There is a space for a progress, but the idea itself that was in some moments, makes it possible for us to think that we can play against the large teams. I think that Roma is the favourite in fighting for Scudetto this year. So it is better to lose now than later. And this can only make us stronger.
– You mentioned the absence of Taras Stepanenko on the field? Was it really noticeable?
– Sure. When he does not play, even the Ukrainian national team has problems. As we are building a new team Stepanenko is an absolute leader and muscles of the team for us. We lacked muscles in comparison with the rival. We have good combinatorial set with the ball, but lacked in challenges. Plus individual mistakes drove the match in favor of the rivals. It is easy to play when you dominate 3-0. It would be easy for us as well in such situation. This is what we have. We continue working. This is a good experience for all of us.
– Everyone appreciated the atmosphere. What do you think about the decision to play Roma vs Shakhtar charity match in general?
– We can only thank Roma. They proved once again that they are a great club. This is a charity match, this is a lot of money raised to help Ukraine: army, civilians, children, everyone who requires such help. I think this event is the most important in this situation. 70 thousand people in the very heart of Rome and all the funds raised go to charity. Probably, this is how sport can help in solving political situations. I am very proud that Roma gave us an opportunity to play this match, that we play decently, looking good in specific moments. But the result is what we have. We must accept it and overcome it calmly.