We fully deserved to win
Saturday, April 8, 2023
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Head coach of Shakhtar Igor Jovicevic shared his thoughts regarding the game against Metalist (1-0)
– What do you think about the result of the game? (FC Metalist Press Service)
– Basically, I think it corresponds to the game. Although it was difficult on the field, which really disturbs the players who want to play as leaders. You have to handle the ball faster, pass, play with the first touch, switch play – and this is greatly hindered by the uneven field, the pitch is not in such optimal condition as we are used to see at other stadiums. Therefore, we lacked passing dynamics a little bit, so that there was more control. Although, I think we fully deserved three points today: we scored one more goal than the opponent, but, with respect to opportunities, we should have finished the game earlier. As in Odesa in the previous round. We cannot endure and shake until the end like this, having so many moments. We need to improve the conversion in order to reduce psychological pressure so that focus increases. Because in other matches we managed to open the scoring quickly, score the second goal and then play more freely and perform more interesting attacks. Whoever scored more won, not whoever scored the most beautiful goal. But you also have to go through such difficult matches as today if you want to be a champion. And this is no exception. Real Madrid also became the champion, not always playing well and in aesthetically pleasant way, but playing for the result. We are going through the first year, getting the first challenge of fighting for the title, having enough young players, but this is a very important experience for us. So we go from match to match. Today we took three points, and no one will reverse that.
– It is interesting to hear your thoughts about the play of the opponents. Did Metalist surprise you today? (FC Metalist Press Service)
– Yes, I think Metalist played a decent match today: disturbed us both in pressing and attack building up. If they play like that, they will take points away from their opponents. And you can see the work of the coach – what he wants on the football field. It turned out to be a very interesting match and I wish them success.
– Shakhtar started the second half more actively, but Metalist seized the initiative – there were gaps between the lines of Shakhtar. Is it due to physical fatigue or something else? (FC Metalist Press Service)
– There is no physical fatigue. When you are fighting for first place with 11 rounds to go, there is no fatigue. Maybe someone did not get into the game; you make one or two mistakes on such a field, want to correct them, and then you make a mistake again – this is probably more a matter of psychological state, emotional balance than tactics. After a couple of combinations, we should have finished this match earlier – you saw how many moments we had. But, as I say, you have to go through such emotions: when you feel like you lost 0-3. It was the same in Odesa, when we took 31 kicks, but it felt like we conceded 5 goals. We have to get through it, recover and wait for the match against Lviv.
– Basically, I think it corresponds to the game. Although it was difficult on the field, which really disturbs the players who want to play as leaders. You have to handle the ball faster, pass, play with the first touch, switch play – and this is greatly hindered by the uneven field, the pitch is not in such optimal condition as we are used to see at other stadiums. Therefore, we lacked passing dynamics a little bit, so that there was more control. Although, I think we fully deserved three points today: we scored one more goal than the opponent, but, with respect to opportunities, we should have finished the game earlier. As in Odesa in the previous round. We cannot endure and shake until the end like this, having so many moments. We need to improve the conversion in order to reduce psychological pressure so that focus increases. Because in other matches we managed to open the scoring quickly, score the second goal and then play more freely and perform more interesting attacks. Whoever scored more won, not whoever scored the most beautiful goal. But you also have to go through such difficult matches as today if you want to be a champion. And this is no exception. Real Madrid also became the champion, not always playing well and in aesthetically pleasant way, but playing for the result. We are going through the first year, getting the first challenge of fighting for the title, having enough young players, but this is a very important experience for us. So we go from match to match. Today we took three points, and no one will reverse that.
– It is interesting to hear your thoughts about the play of the opponents. Did Metalist surprise you today? (FC Metalist Press Service)
– Yes, I think Metalist played a decent match today: disturbed us both in pressing and attack building up. If they play like that, they will take points away from their opponents. And you can see the work of the coach – what he wants on the football field. It turned out to be a very interesting match and I wish them success.
– Shakhtar started the second half more actively, but Metalist seized the initiative – there were gaps between the lines of Shakhtar. Is it due to physical fatigue or something else? (FC Metalist Press Service)
– There is no physical fatigue. When you are fighting for first place with 11 rounds to go, there is no fatigue. Maybe someone did not get into the game; you make one or two mistakes on such a field, want to correct them, and then you make a mistake again – this is probably more a matter of psychological state, emotional balance than tactics. After a couple of combinations, we should have finished this match earlier – you saw how many moments we had. But, as I say, you have to go through such emotions: when you feel like you lost 0-3. It was the same in Odesa, when we took 31 kicks, but it felt like we conceded 5 goals. We have to get through it, recover and wait for the match against Lviv.