The entire team have progressed
Thursday, December 15, 2022
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Shakhtar U19 head coach Oskar Ratulutra summed up the first stage of the championship, shared his impressions of playing in the UEFA Youth League and talked about the progress of the players
– The first stage turned out to be difficult because we participated in two tournaments. It is good that we managed to achieve the result in the UEFA Youth League, unfortunately, the result in the championship is not so good. We had rough goings from the very beginning, but we could finish our preparation and play the first stage with dignity. We are Shakhtar and we always aim to take only the first spot. It is clear that not everything worked out, but we have three matches in hand and have to think about the season part of the championship. Of course, we will fight only for gold.
– Many footballers made their debut for Shakhtar U19 team: Lomaha, Savin, Tsukanov, Bundash, Smetana and others. How was their adaptation?
– Change of generation is a normal thing for youth football. We introduce new players for them to understand our football and demands. I would like to note that among all those listed, only Tsukanov completed the entire preparation cycle. Other players were integrating in the team throughout the season. I am satisfied with everyone, but for sure, they have room for improvement. The boys have to understand that they will form the team core next year and we are counting on them.
– The players switched their positions on the field frequently during the first stage. Why did you use the footballers out of their usual positions and how did the boys feel about it?
– Modern football impose universalism as you can observe in the best teams worldwide. Indeed, we applied this kind of practice because sometimes we had to solve some staff problems. The same Rosputko managed to play almost in all defending positions, having demonstrated excellent results in every of them. Going out of the comfort zone, everyone can show quality and demonstrate something you don’t even expect to see.
– Most of the boys were called up by Ukraine U19 and U21.
– It is very nice! It is exactly what the Academy works for and calling up of the players by the Ukrainian national teams means acknowledgment and assessment. Really, many footballers born in 2004 played for Ukraine U19 including Oleksandr Yushchenko, although he is one year younger. Denys Tvardovskyi and Kyrylo Siheev joined the U21 team for the first time that is also good.
– Whose progress was the most noticeable?
– Many boys stepped it up during six months. I will say right away that, first of all, the entire team have progressed. Our Captain Denys Tvardovskyi also looked trustworthy in all matches and saved us many times. The same Vladyslav Pohorilyi showed serious results; I cannot but remark Oleksandr Yushchenko and Ivan Losenko. Anton Drozd integrated perfectly in our team, and if it weren't for some health issues, he would have played even more matches.
– Did the second spot in the UEFA Youth League become a surprise for you? It is only the third time in the Academy history when Shakhtar managed to qualify for the tournament play-offs.
– Absolutely, we achieved an excellent result and showed the Academy level. We understood that the entire football Europe would be watching us. The main thing is what we have gained, that is, the experience, and it is great it happened to be positive. We all happy with such result, but we should not stop and get stuck on what we have achieved. However, we showed that we are Shakhtar, we are Ukrainians, and we are strong.
– The team scored 9 points, but could not advance from the group in the last draw of the Eurocup. What did you manage to change to obtain a result this season?
– I think that we played quite well in the previous season too. At the time, unfortunately, we were a little unlucky, but thanks to the experience gained and teamwork this season, we managed to advance from the group.
– One could see that Shakhtar played more confidently in the championship after qualifying for the Eurocup play-offs.
– The team looked fresher at the end of the championship. Of course, sometimes we lack strength for two tournaments taking logistics into account. We did pretty well even when playing in two tournaments simultaneously, demonstrated good result and gained the required experience.
– How did you overcome difficulties due to constant moving and busy schedule?
– The boys took everything properly. Already before the start of the championship, we explained that during the game there may be air raid alerts, that each match may last even for more than one day. Everyone did their work conscientiously, no one complained, I am satisfied.
– What match was the best regarding quality?
– There were a lot of such matches. I would remark the game against Celtic when we managed to win and qualify for play-offs. Everyone gave their best that day, that is why the match in Scotland stuck in memory more than any other.
– Vladyslav Pohorilyi scored 15 goals in the championship. Did the forward play a decisive role for the team?
– We are happy for Vladyslav because he showed an excellent play, but it happened thanks to the efforts of the whole team. It is certainly good for any coach when a forward scores and does it regularly. His goals, his play helped us this year many times. It is important that Vladyslav continues like this as he is one of the most experienced players and he is the one who gives an example for young players.
– Tell us about your short-term plans.
– Currently, everyone is on vacation, but each of the footballers has an individual work plan. The team will gather for testing on the gas analyser already in January. We plan to go to Turkey for a training camp on January 10 because we are to play the UEFA Youth League play-off match against Hajduk already in February. 6 friendlies are planned to be played in Turkey, but the details are being determined.
– Many footballers made their debut for Shakhtar U19 team: Lomaha, Savin, Tsukanov, Bundash, Smetana and others. How was their adaptation?
– Change of generation is a normal thing for youth football. We introduce new players for them to understand our football and demands. I would like to note that among all those listed, only Tsukanov completed the entire preparation cycle. Other players were integrating in the team throughout the season. I am satisfied with everyone, but for sure, they have room for improvement. The boys have to understand that they will form the team core next year and we are counting on them.
– The players switched their positions on the field frequently during the first stage. Why did you use the footballers out of their usual positions and how did the boys feel about it?
– Modern football impose universalism as you can observe in the best teams worldwide. Indeed, we applied this kind of practice because sometimes we had to solve some staff problems. The same Rosputko managed to play almost in all defending positions, having demonstrated excellent results in every of them. Going out of the comfort zone, everyone can show quality and demonstrate something you don’t even expect to see.
– Most of the boys were called up by Ukraine U19 and U21.
– It is very nice! It is exactly what the Academy works for and calling up of the players by the Ukrainian national teams means acknowledgment and assessment. Really, many footballers born in 2004 played for Ukraine U19 including Oleksandr Yushchenko, although he is one year younger. Denys Tvardovskyi and Kyrylo Siheev joined the U21 team for the first time that is also good.
– Whose progress was the most noticeable?
– Many boys stepped it up during six months. I will say right away that, first of all, the entire team have progressed. Our Captain Denys Tvardovskyi also looked trustworthy in all matches and saved us many times. The same Vladyslav Pohorilyi showed serious results; I cannot but remark Oleksandr Yushchenko and Ivan Losenko. Anton Drozd integrated perfectly in our team, and if it weren't for some health issues, he would have played even more matches.
– Did the second spot in the UEFA Youth League become a surprise for you? It is only the third time in the Academy history when Shakhtar managed to qualify for the tournament play-offs.
– Absolutely, we achieved an excellent result and showed the Academy level. We understood that the entire football Europe would be watching us. The main thing is what we have gained, that is, the experience, and it is great it happened to be positive. We all happy with such result, but we should not stop and get stuck on what we have achieved. However, we showed that we are Shakhtar, we are Ukrainians, and we are strong.
– The team scored 9 points, but could not advance from the group in the last draw of the Eurocup. What did you manage to change to obtain a result this season?
– I think that we played quite well in the previous season too. At the time, unfortunately, we were a little unlucky, but thanks to the experience gained and teamwork this season, we managed to advance from the group.
– One could see that Shakhtar played more confidently in the championship after qualifying for the Eurocup play-offs.
– The team looked fresher at the end of the championship. Of course, sometimes we lack strength for two tournaments taking logistics into account. We did pretty well even when playing in two tournaments simultaneously, demonstrated good result and gained the required experience.
– How did you overcome difficulties due to constant moving and busy schedule?
– The boys took everything properly. Already before the start of the championship, we explained that during the game there may be air raid alerts, that each match may last even for more than one day. Everyone did their work conscientiously, no one complained, I am satisfied.
– What match was the best regarding quality?
– There were a lot of such matches. I would remark the game against Celtic when we managed to win and qualify for play-offs. Everyone gave their best that day, that is why the match in Scotland stuck in memory more than any other.
– Vladyslav Pohorilyi scored 15 goals in the championship. Did the forward play a decisive role for the team?
– We are happy for Vladyslav because he showed an excellent play, but it happened thanks to the efforts of the whole team. It is certainly good for any coach when a forward scores and does it regularly. His goals, his play helped us this year many times. It is important that Vladyslav continues like this as he is one of the most experienced players and he is the one who gives an example for young players.
– Tell us about your short-term plans.
– Currently, everyone is on vacation, but each of the footballers has an individual work plan. The team will gather for testing on the gas analyser already in January. We plan to go to Turkey for a training camp on January 10 because we are to play the UEFA Youth League play-off match against Hajduk already in February. 6 friendlies are planned to be played in Turkey, but the details are being determined.
