We have ambitions, and I want to see these ambitions tomorrow on the pitch
Tuesday, December 12, 2023
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Press conference of head coach of Shakhtar Marino Pusic before the Champions League match against Porto
– Marino, you were not at Shakhtar yet when the team played the first match against Porto. Did you watch that game? What is your plan and how do you intend to win and advance to the Champions League play-offs?
– What is my plan? I have a lot of plans. I was not there then, but I saw that game, as well as many other matches that Porto played in the last two months. Things have changed, of course: we are different now, but they are also different in some way, they are also improving their way of playing. So it is going to be a very interesting confrontation between two teams that are hard to beat, I hope the people will enjoy it.
– Can we expect something different from Porto compared to what we saw in the first match, as they may adapt to Shakhtar’s new style of play? In general, what can we expect from Porto tomorrow and can you single out anyone in the opponent’s squad?
– Both teams, and especially us, have changed in the last two months. The opponents are also improving their way of playing, which they showed in the away match against Barcelona, where they played very well, so it will be a very interesting confrontation between two teams who will meet in a final of sorts, and both of them would like to win it and go to the next round of the Champions League. We achieved our main goal – to stay in the European Cups, which is fantastic, but Shakhtar are a very ambitious team that want to achieve even more. So, we will fight for that tomorrow. Like I said already, Porto are a very good team and it is not for nothing that they are playing on this level after so many years, they are very stable, they are difficult to beat, well organized. So, it is not going to be easy, absolutely not, but for the opponents too, because we are almost on the same level. And what can we expect... It will be a tough game for both sides, I think. Like I always say, we came here to compete, and it does not matter where we play or against whom. Maybe we will do some things differently, it is possible, because we will have to deal with another kind of opponent now, but in general, we will try to be ourselves and go for a win.
– Mister, how will you prepare the team for this confrontation and what can Shakhtar do tomorrow to surprise the entire global football community?
– We have changed a lot of things in the last almost two months. The team reacted very well, I am happy about that. As for the strengths, it is always a team. According to my philosophy, the team makes the individual, not the other way around. We are one team: we attack together, we defend together and we fight for each other. This is our main strength, of course, together with our tactical abilities, the way of playing, the strength we have in attacking part. It is always a complete story, you cannot mention one part, because all parts are connected. The most important aspect for me is the team. The team is everything, there is nothing higher than the team. This is what my players are showing, and I am very glad about it. I hope we will see it tomorrow too – pride, courage and a game for the win.
– Should we expect any changes in the starting line-up? Is everyone healthy?
– Yes, changes are possible. Not all players are one hundred percent fit. It could be that we change something. Everyone knows that Konoplia will not participate in the game tomorrow, and other players also have some issues after the last match. It is not easy to prepare because of long travels, et cetera, so changes are possible. We will see tomorrow. I have one more day to think about what starting line-up to use tomorrow. We will see who will be one hundred percent fit, because such games require one hundred percent fitness and concentration to get a good result.
– Essentially, Shakhtar have already solved their main task – secured the European spring. Now the only question is whether it will be the Champions League or the Europa League. Are the team facing the challenge of advancing to the Champions League play-offs or are they relaxed?
– Well, the main goal is achieved, but we are professional football players, a professional team. We are very ambitious. If you are so close to achieving your highest level, then you have to go one hundred percent for that. It is great that we will continue to perform in Europe, but we want more and we will play to get it. That is for sure. We have ambitions, and I want to see these ambitions tomorrow on the pitch.
– What is my plan? I have a lot of plans. I was not there then, but I saw that game, as well as many other matches that Porto played in the last two months. Things have changed, of course: we are different now, but they are also different in some way, they are also improving their way of playing. So it is going to be a very interesting confrontation between two teams that are hard to beat, I hope the people will enjoy it.
– Can we expect something different from Porto compared to what we saw in the first match, as they may adapt to Shakhtar’s new style of play? In general, what can we expect from Porto tomorrow and can you single out anyone in the opponent’s squad?
– Both teams, and especially us, have changed in the last two months. The opponents are also improving their way of playing, which they showed in the away match against Barcelona, where they played very well, so it will be a very interesting confrontation between two teams who will meet in a final of sorts, and both of them would like to win it and go to the next round of the Champions League. We achieved our main goal – to stay in the European Cups, which is fantastic, but Shakhtar are a very ambitious team that want to achieve even more. So, we will fight for that tomorrow. Like I said already, Porto are a very good team and it is not for nothing that they are playing on this level after so many years, they are very stable, they are difficult to beat, well organized. So, it is not going to be easy, absolutely not, but for the opponents too, because we are almost on the same level. And what can we expect... It will be a tough game for both sides, I think. Like I always say, we came here to compete, and it does not matter where we play or against whom. Maybe we will do some things differently, it is possible, because we will have to deal with another kind of opponent now, but in general, we will try to be ourselves and go for a win.
– Mister, how will you prepare the team for this confrontation and what can Shakhtar do tomorrow to surprise the entire global football community?
– We have changed a lot of things in the last almost two months. The team reacted very well, I am happy about that. As for the strengths, it is always a team. According to my philosophy, the team makes the individual, not the other way around. We are one team: we attack together, we defend together and we fight for each other. This is our main strength, of course, together with our tactical abilities, the way of playing, the strength we have in attacking part. It is always a complete story, you cannot mention one part, because all parts are connected. The most important aspect for me is the team. The team is everything, there is nothing higher than the team. This is what my players are showing, and I am very glad about it. I hope we will see it tomorrow too – pride, courage and a game for the win.
– Should we expect any changes in the starting line-up? Is everyone healthy?
– Yes, changes are possible. Not all players are one hundred percent fit. It could be that we change something. Everyone knows that Konoplia will not participate in the game tomorrow, and other players also have some issues after the last match. It is not easy to prepare because of long travels, et cetera, so changes are possible. We will see tomorrow. I have one more day to think about what starting line-up to use tomorrow. We will see who will be one hundred percent fit, because such games require one hundred percent fitness and concentration to get a good result.
– Essentially, Shakhtar have already solved their main task – secured the European spring. Now the only question is whether it will be the Champions League or the Europa League. Are the team facing the challenge of advancing to the Champions League play-offs or are they relaxed?
– Well, the main goal is achieved, but we are professional football players, a professional team. We are very ambitious. If you are so close to achieving your highest level, then you have to go one hundred percent for that. It is great that we will continue to perform in Europe, but we want more and we will play to get it. That is for sure. We have ambitions, and I want to see these ambitions tomorrow on the pitch.