We prepared well
Friday, February 17, 2023
|
Shakhtar midfielder Taras Stepanenko shared his thoughts after the first leg vs Rennes (2-1)
– How did the match turn out for your team and what helped you to win?
– It was a difficult match. But we were counting on it because Rennes are currently play in the championship, are on the move, and we have to understand that physically they looked better. It was seen occasionally: sometimes we were losing the ball, dripping very deep. But the game plan we had did worked: we closed the zones well for the fast footballers, did not allow them to use their strengths, scored two good goals and deservedly won.
– What did you want more when the score became 2-1: to play carefully or to go forward and score the third goal?
– I think that we should play correctly, wisely, and that's why we didn't force it – sometimes it's worth to come down the match, to concentrate. After conceding a goal, we created a couple of really good chances and could have scored more, but Rennes did nothing but make attempts from outside the penalty area that were blocked by Trubin or went wide. When you play a knockout competition, you have to act carefully and use your head because every goal and every result is very important.
– In what part of the match did you feel that you are stronger than the opponents?
– I won't say that we are stronger, it was just clear that we prepared well and understood what to do on the football field. It was decisive. There are highly qualified footballers at Rennes. They had their chances too: there were some moments throughout the game when they had the advantage. I can say that two equal teams played, however we used our chances more successfully.
– What things do you need to focus on more in the return match?
– We will watch the game, carry out an analysis, but I think that we should be more careful playing with the ball: there were moments when we could have held more, advanced the ball, transferred from wing to wing, but instead we were in a hurry, we wanted to attack quickly, which ultimately led to losses. Sometimes you have to take a break with the ball because it is very difficult to play at the same pace the whole match. Therefore, we have to work hard on a pace, on the way we play.
– It was a difficult match. But we were counting on it because Rennes are currently play in the championship, are on the move, and we have to understand that physically they looked better. It was seen occasionally: sometimes we were losing the ball, dripping very deep. But the game plan we had did worked: we closed the zones well for the fast footballers, did not allow them to use their strengths, scored two good goals and deservedly won.
– What did you want more when the score became 2-1: to play carefully or to go forward and score the third goal?
– I think that we should play correctly, wisely, and that's why we didn't force it – sometimes it's worth to come down the match, to concentrate. After conceding a goal, we created a couple of really good chances and could have scored more, but Rennes did nothing but make attempts from outside the penalty area that were blocked by Trubin or went wide. When you play a knockout competition, you have to act carefully and use your head because every goal and every result is very important.
– In what part of the match did you feel that you are stronger than the opponents?
– I won't say that we are stronger, it was just clear that we prepared well and understood what to do on the football field. It was decisive. There are highly qualified footballers at Rennes. They had their chances too: there were some moments throughout the game when they had the advantage. I can say that two equal teams played, however we used our chances more successfully.
– What things do you need to focus on more in the return match?
– We will watch the game, carry out an analysis, but I think that we should be more careful playing with the ball: there were moments when we could have held more, advanced the ball, transferred from wing to wing, but instead we were in a hurry, we wanted to attack quickly, which ultimately led to losses. Sometimes you have to take a break with the ball because it is very difficult to play at the same pace the whole match. Therefore, we have to work hard on a pace, on the way we play.