We are progressing in clashes with strong teams
Monday, August 7, 2023
|
Shakhtar head coach Patrick van Leeuwen made a comment after the charity game against Tottenham
– Mister, the match in London had an important message for all of Ukraine. What can you say about such a charity initiative?
– I think that it is a fantastic initiative to remind the world that the war goes on. As for football, there are many visitors from different countries, so this is a good experience for us, players and coaches.
– What was the atmosphere like at the stadium, what did you feel?
– It has been a long time since we played in front of fans, so it is an exceptional experience to play again in almost full stadium.
– If we analyse the match now from the practice point of view before the Champions League, how did it turn out for the team?
– I believe that we are still progressing, and such clashes with strong teams, as throughout the pre-season period, give us, the coaching staff, a lot of information. We also have the opportunity to see where we are and what we need to improve if we meet with teams at the Champions League level.
– Now Shakhtar have a lot of young players and new footballers. How is their adaptation going?
– The young players who took the field in the second half showed bravery and demonstrated that they are not afraid to play in such an atmosphere. In my opinion, they have progressed during the pre-season spell, when we spent a month with the whole team and last two weeks with extra young players. I suppose that everything works out well for them, they adapt well and they are nice persons in the group, which is also perfect for us.
– This match became a farewell one for Andrii Piatov. You have known Andrii for a long time, what can you say about this?
– I believe that Andrii is an example of a professional player who performed for a very long time, always focused on what is necessary for a long football career. Goalkeepers always have a few additional years, but I think he extended his career as much as possible and now it is time to take a different direction, which he is currently doing as a goalkeeping coach. It is a good initiative from Shakhtar to say goodbye in such a match with full stands, to make him feel that it is done and done properly, and recollect all the great experience gained over the years.
– There were many Ukrainian fans in the stands, and even more Ukrainians watched the broadcast of the match. Maybe you wanted to tell them something?
– Of course, there are many Ukrainians in all countries, and especially at this game, I saw many Ukrainian flags in the stadium. This is what we need now and will need during the European campaign: for Ukrainians to attend the matches of Shakhtar and other teams participating in European competitions and representing Ukraine.
– I think that it is a fantastic initiative to remind the world that the war goes on. As for football, there are many visitors from different countries, so this is a good experience for us, players and coaches.
– What was the atmosphere like at the stadium, what did you feel?
– It has been a long time since we played in front of fans, so it is an exceptional experience to play again in almost full stadium.
– If we analyse the match now from the practice point of view before the Champions League, how did it turn out for the team?
– I believe that we are still progressing, and such clashes with strong teams, as throughout the pre-season period, give us, the coaching staff, a lot of information. We also have the opportunity to see where we are and what we need to improve if we meet with teams at the Champions League level.
– Now Shakhtar have a lot of young players and new footballers. How is their adaptation going?
– The young players who took the field in the second half showed bravery and demonstrated that they are not afraid to play in such an atmosphere. In my opinion, they have progressed during the pre-season spell, when we spent a month with the whole team and last two weeks with extra young players. I suppose that everything works out well for them, they adapt well and they are nice persons in the group, which is also perfect for us.
– This match became a farewell one for Andrii Piatov. You have known Andrii for a long time, what can you say about this?
– I believe that Andrii is an example of a professional player who performed for a very long time, always focused on what is necessary for a long football career. Goalkeepers always have a few additional years, but I think he extended his career as much as possible and now it is time to take a different direction, which he is currently doing as a goalkeeping coach. It is a good initiative from Shakhtar to say goodbye in such a match with full stands, to make him feel that it is done and done properly, and recollect all the great experience gained over the years.
– There were many Ukrainian fans in the stands, and even more Ukrainians watched the broadcast of the match. Maybe you wanted to tell them something?
– Of course, there are many Ukrainians in all countries, and especially at this game, I saw many Ukrainian flags in the stadium. This is what we need now and will need during the European campaign: for Ukrainians to attend the matches of Shakhtar and other teams participating in European competitions and representing Ukraine.