We have to keep the pace for full 90 minutes
Thursday, February 2, 2023
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Shakhtar head coach Igor Jovicevic reflects on the test matches against Ludogorets and Maribor
– What should be noted regarding these two friendlies and the team’s condition?
– We still have a lot of work to do to reach the level where we are competitive both in the Europa League and the UPL. We have time to practice, to increase the intensity. We have to make sure that not only one period of the match is at a high level, it will allow us to dominate the game, the structure against such great opponents as Maribor and Ludogorets, to play the entire match at this level. Tomorrow the team will have a day off and the coaches will have a lot of work: analysis will give us many answers because we must seek solutions regarding specific problems created for us by the opponents.
– Ocheretko and Nazaryna were injured yesterday. How serious is it?
– It affects my mood even more. I feel it for myself when footballers break down on a flat surface. Perhaps it wasn’t noticed, however they did not injure themselves, but it was provoked by the actions of their opponents. Maybe the camera didn't capture it. So, I am very angry. Not only the Bulgarians had the right to be angry with the referee yesterday, but we were also angry with their certain players. It disturbs me. If it is cruciate ligament, and I have already been through it four times, and this will be the fifth case, so I know what it is about, and I know how Ocheretko feels now. It's good that it is not so serious with Nazaryna – his meniscus endured. But there are many such moments, minor injuries, getting us out of rhythm and pace. We cannot put ourselves together, cannot be completely focused to rediscover our form. So, it disturbs me a little.
– You used the youth squad players in the first team. What was the purpose?
– It is obvious that U19 team just make me pay attention to them and express my respect taking into account their performance in the UEFA Youth League group stage. This is our future and we award their labour to make them understand: their work is not in vain. Of course, it is for them to experience a little higher level of intensity and good opponents, to make their preparation even better than their upcoming match. They gave us many interesting answers. The boys have the mettle. I think it will bring us more competition in time. We are a young team in general, so we need to become even more solid and mature, unite even more and learn to fight on the football field. Not only when you dominate the game, but also when there are many challenges, when the field is bad, when the wind is blowing, you have to level all these factors and focus on the match. Therefore, I repeat once again, we showed what we can do in these two matches, yesterday, in the last 30 minutes. Ludogorets are a very good team. They always play in the European competitions. Their match against Roma proves this, the things they did at the Stadio Olimpico. But we did not let them to cross the field centre. So yesterday there was the team I want to see – hungry, ambitious, aggressive, focused. It was the same today in the first half, but we have to keep it for the full period, full 90 minutes. After all, if we drop out for a few minutes, they punish us for it in Europe, they punish us in the UPL in the same way as Maribor did today. Generally, these are mixed emotions for the coach because we have to keep the pace and the rhythm for full 90 minutes.
– We still have a lot of work to do to reach the level where we are competitive both in the Europa League and the UPL. We have time to practice, to increase the intensity. We have to make sure that not only one period of the match is at a high level, it will allow us to dominate the game, the structure against such great opponents as Maribor and Ludogorets, to play the entire match at this level. Tomorrow the team will have a day off and the coaches will have a lot of work: analysis will give us many answers because we must seek solutions regarding specific problems created for us by the opponents.
– Ocheretko and Nazaryna were injured yesterday. How serious is it?
– It affects my mood even more. I feel it for myself when footballers break down on a flat surface. Perhaps it wasn’t noticed, however they did not injure themselves, but it was provoked by the actions of their opponents. Maybe the camera didn't capture it. So, I am very angry. Not only the Bulgarians had the right to be angry with the referee yesterday, but we were also angry with their certain players. It disturbs me. If it is cruciate ligament, and I have already been through it four times, and this will be the fifth case, so I know what it is about, and I know how Ocheretko feels now. It's good that it is not so serious with Nazaryna – his meniscus endured. But there are many such moments, minor injuries, getting us out of rhythm and pace. We cannot put ourselves together, cannot be completely focused to rediscover our form. So, it disturbs me a little.
– You used the youth squad players in the first team. What was the purpose?
– It is obvious that U19 team just make me pay attention to them and express my respect taking into account their performance in the UEFA Youth League group stage. This is our future and we award their labour to make them understand: their work is not in vain. Of course, it is for them to experience a little higher level of intensity and good opponents, to make their preparation even better than their upcoming match. They gave us many interesting answers. The boys have the mettle. I think it will bring us more competition in time. We are a young team in general, so we need to become even more solid and mature, unite even more and learn to fight on the football field. Not only when you dominate the game, but also when there are many challenges, when the field is bad, when the wind is blowing, you have to level all these factors and focus on the match. Therefore, I repeat once again, we showed what we can do in these two matches, yesterday, in the last 30 minutes. Ludogorets are a very good team. They always play in the European competitions. Their match against Roma proves this, the things they did at the Stadio Olimpico. But we did not let them to cross the field centre. So yesterday there was the team I want to see – hungry, ambitious, aggressive, focused. It was the same today in the first half, but we have to keep it for the full period, full 90 minutes. After all, if we drop out for a few minutes, they punish us for it in Europe, they punish us in the UPL in the same way as Maribor did today. Generally, these are mixed emotions for the coach because we have to keep the pace and the rhythm for full 90 minutes.