Test before Rennes
Thursday, February 9, 2023
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Shakhtar head coach Igor Jovicevic analysed the friendly game against Sarajevo (4-0) and summed up the winter training camp
– Such victories, probably, always have positive influence ahead of important matches. How can you assess the game?
– Yes, of course. It is important that no one dropped out due to injury because we had several problems at this training camp knocking us out the rhythm – small injuries, viruses, fever. That's why we were very rarely in the full squad and this was reflected in the training process where we have to rediscover the necessary form before the matches of the championship and the Europa League. But in recent days, we put ourselves together, stabilized ourselves, and this game showed we passed the last test before Rennes through emotions, felt the taste of victory and confidently approached the last microcycle in Warsaw where we will continue to prepare for Rennes. I can be satisfied with the team's energy, structure, goals scored, combination set. Of course, there is still a week to work on certain segments, but I think we will prepare very well for Rennes.
– Traore scored twice in the match which is very important for him because he is a forward getting energy from the result. Is he ready to face Rennes?
– It is obvious. You can compare his game in the championship and now: he actively participates in the development of team actions, has more confidence, more often gets into spaces where he is dangerous for the opponents. The qualities he has are very important for us because we can swap passes to the third player through him, he can receive the ball himself, turn, pass or score a goal. For sure, this is a forward of a very high quality. We have to wait just a little bit more, although I am satisfied with his progress. I am absolutely convinced that this will be the best strengthening for our team, especially when he gets in shape. We waited because we know his qualities. But it was really tough for him after the injury and now I am very happy that he scored and was actively involved in team activities.
– We are also waiting to see Marian Shved on the pitch. What is his current condition?
– He is the best winger for us, for our play. Especially in that structure, in positional actions, when we play through a pass to the third player, our wingers must be at the top level. Unfortunately, Shved is still in pain. We may see him in 15-20 days. We have to learn now to live without such wingers who can really make a difference on the football pitch, but for now we are looking for an alternative. Zubkov is another top who gives us many alternatives regarding the attack. Dmytro Kryskiv can close this position, although he does not have the characteristics of a winger in a one-on-one play, in capturing space, but due to his skills, due to his intelligence, we can calm down the game, develop it, we can reach the last third through combinations. As you have seen, it is also not so easy to do, although these opponents are not Rennes. But your idea remains. So, I know that it can be better, better with health. We are looking forward to Shved because we know what he gave us, especially in the match against RB Leipzig, he showed how much he can help. But we have to get used to his absence and wait.
– Who do you think reached the main team level in problematic positions, like for example, Dmytro Kryskiv?
– Well, Dmytro Kryskiv demonstrated reliability and mentality while he was not playing. He can help the team, showing this in the previous games, through his assists, through his skills in the goals scored. In fact, we can say after the training camp that this is a fighting unit that can play in the team in the position left available by Mudryk. There is also Ivan Petriak, of course, but he is also recovering after a minor injury, so he didn't play. We also have Topalov in the lateral position who acts as a winger through our play, especially in the UPL against the closed opponents, occupies the spaces well, has good cross and very high speed. I hope he will be able to help create good competition for Mykhailichenko, so that Bohdan does not think he is alone and steps it up for 100 percent more in order not to lose his place at the left lateral position. And there is Kozik, a young boy who played as a lateral today and has great physical qualities to step it up through the games. It is important because his physique complies with the level of Shakhtar.
– Yes, of course. It is important that no one dropped out due to injury because we had several problems at this training camp knocking us out the rhythm – small injuries, viruses, fever. That's why we were very rarely in the full squad and this was reflected in the training process where we have to rediscover the necessary form before the matches of the championship and the Europa League. But in recent days, we put ourselves together, stabilized ourselves, and this game showed we passed the last test before Rennes through emotions, felt the taste of victory and confidently approached the last microcycle in Warsaw where we will continue to prepare for Rennes. I can be satisfied with the team's energy, structure, goals scored, combination set. Of course, there is still a week to work on certain segments, but I think we will prepare very well for Rennes.
– Traore scored twice in the match which is very important for him because he is a forward getting energy from the result. Is he ready to face Rennes?
– It is obvious. You can compare his game in the championship and now: he actively participates in the development of team actions, has more confidence, more often gets into spaces where he is dangerous for the opponents. The qualities he has are very important for us because we can swap passes to the third player through him, he can receive the ball himself, turn, pass or score a goal. For sure, this is a forward of a very high quality. We have to wait just a little bit more, although I am satisfied with his progress. I am absolutely convinced that this will be the best strengthening for our team, especially when he gets in shape. We waited because we know his qualities. But it was really tough for him after the injury and now I am very happy that he scored and was actively involved in team activities.
– We are also waiting to see Marian Shved on the pitch. What is his current condition?
– He is the best winger for us, for our play. Especially in that structure, in positional actions, when we play through a pass to the third player, our wingers must be at the top level. Unfortunately, Shved is still in pain. We may see him in 15-20 days. We have to learn now to live without such wingers who can really make a difference on the football pitch, but for now we are looking for an alternative. Zubkov is another top who gives us many alternatives regarding the attack. Dmytro Kryskiv can close this position, although he does not have the characteristics of a winger in a one-on-one play, in capturing space, but due to his skills, due to his intelligence, we can calm down the game, develop it, we can reach the last third through combinations. As you have seen, it is also not so easy to do, although these opponents are not Rennes. But your idea remains. So, I know that it can be better, better with health. We are looking forward to Shved because we know what he gave us, especially in the match against RB Leipzig, he showed how much he can help. But we have to get used to his absence and wait.
– Who do you think reached the main team level in problematic positions, like for example, Dmytro Kryskiv?
– Well, Dmytro Kryskiv demonstrated reliability and mentality while he was not playing. He can help the team, showing this in the previous games, through his assists, through his skills in the goals scored. In fact, we can say after the training camp that this is a fighting unit that can play in the team in the position left available by Mudryk. There is also Ivan Petriak, of course, but he is also recovering after a minor injury, so he didn't play. We also have Topalov in the lateral position who acts as a winger through our play, especially in the UPL against the closed opponents, occupies the spaces well, has good cross and very high speed. I hope he will be able to help create good competition for Mykhailichenko, so that Bohdan does not think he is alone and steps it up for 100 percent more in order not to lose his place at the left lateral position. And there is Kozik, a young boy who played as a lateral today and has great physical qualities to step it up through the games. It is important because his physique complies with the level of Shakhtar.