Ukrainian teams will always fight to the end
Wednesday, February 1, 2023
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Shakhtar midfielder Taras Stepanenko talked about the test match against Ludogorets (2-2)
– Taras, there was another friendly at the winter training camp. How did he turn out for the team?
– It is a very good game because we met with strong opponents – the team who always play in the European Cups. It was obvious that they were prepared quite well: they acted aggressively in the first half, with our young guys not always able to deal with this pressure in some moments. But this is a training meeting and we need the youth to grow and demonstrate a good play. So, I think that it was a very good match.
– What are the key things in such matches and how important is the result?
– The things we work on every day are important, the things the head coach and his assistants tell us. We develop new formation little by little. And, of course, the result is important as it gives us confidence and show that we are moving in the right direction.
– How close are the team to their perfect physical form now?
– Well, we played a half-time each, someone more, someone less. Then it is going to be vice versa. I think we are prepared for 50–60 minutes already, but we must step it up in intensity and rediscover our form for the key matches.
– Ukrainian children were present at the match. Did you feel their support?
– We did very much! Children always mean positive energy, emotions. We play for our fans, moreover these are the children from Ukraine suffered in the ongoing war in our country. So, we wanted to show that Ukrainian teams, like Ukraine, will always fight to the end because we have the mettle. And they are the fighters too, so we thank them very much.
– You got the most attention after the match. What did the children say?
– Probably, it is because I have three children myself and everyone feels it. They just asked to take a picture, said that the game was good. They were smiling and it is nice. I am always ready to join such events.
– It is a very good game because we met with strong opponents – the team who always play in the European Cups. It was obvious that they were prepared quite well: they acted aggressively in the first half, with our young guys not always able to deal with this pressure in some moments. But this is a training meeting and we need the youth to grow and demonstrate a good play. So, I think that it was a very good match.
– What are the key things in such matches and how important is the result?
– The things we work on every day are important, the things the head coach and his assistants tell us. We develop new formation little by little. And, of course, the result is important as it gives us confidence and show that we are moving in the right direction.
– How close are the team to their perfect physical form now?
– Well, we played a half-time each, someone more, someone less. Then it is going to be vice versa. I think we are prepared for 50–60 minutes already, but we must step it up in intensity and rediscover our form for the key matches.
– Ukrainian children were present at the match. Did you feel their support?
– We did very much! Children always mean positive energy, emotions. We play for our fans, moreover these are the children from Ukraine suffered in the ongoing war in our country. So, we wanted to show that Ukrainian teams, like Ukraine, will always fight to the end because we have the mettle. And they are the fighters too, so we thank them very much.
– You got the most attention after the match. What did the children say?
– Probably, it is because I have three children myself and everyone feels it. They just asked to take a picture, said that the game was good. They were smiling and it is nice. I am always ready to join such events.