We had more confidence
Wednesday, November 8, 2023
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Shakhtar midfielder Heorhii Sudakov shared his impressions of the win over Barcelona (1-0)
– Heorhii, congratulations on a very important and emotional victory. What was the key to it?
– We appeared much more confident than we did in the first match in Barcelona, we worked hard for this, analysed the game well, understood what to focus on, and corrected mistakes. First of all, we had to keep clean sheets, and the chances can be find anyway. And so it happened: we allowed Barcelona little to do, with Danylo Sikan scoring an incredible goal – we took the advantage and won the match.
– You said that this game was more confident. In what way, if compared to the first match?
– I already said that it is very difficult to play against such a team as Barcelona for the first time, you worry a little. But we showed that we can play in Spain already in the second half. We got this experience there and probably the second half in Barcelona gave us confidence. And now we proved it – from the first minutes we started playing our football. Of course, everyone understands that it is Barcelona and it was tough. We played most of the time without the ball, but we also showed good moments and secured a victory, it's the most important thing.
– What did the head coach demand and can we say that Shakhtar are already playing Marino Pusic’s football?
– There is still a lot to work on. He just arrived, only two weeks in the team, and I can't say that it is our maximum. That's why we showed step by step that we can play. Of course, it was difficult as the field does not quite suit for combinational football. But we showed the mettle, showed, perhaps, true Miner's spirit.
– You were recognized as the Player of the Match. What does it mean to you, because we saw that you were surprised and did not expect it?
– It seems to me that I had brighter matches before and did not receive any honours. Seriously, this is the first time for me, and I can say that I am very happy. It's great to receive the Man of the Match award in the Champions League, it's an incredible experience. However, I got it thanks to the team.
– After the award presentation, you had a small conversation with Marino. What did he tell you?
– He said: "Trust me, this is only the beginning."
– How do you assess Shakhtar's chances in the group after this victory?
– I don't want to say loud words, but we are working. I have been saying since the first round: we believe that we can advance from the group and we are working very hard for this. So I believe in our team and look forward to the next matches.
– We appeared much more confident than we did in the first match in Barcelona, we worked hard for this, analysed the game well, understood what to focus on, and corrected mistakes. First of all, we had to keep clean sheets, and the chances can be find anyway. And so it happened: we allowed Barcelona little to do, with Danylo Sikan scoring an incredible goal – we took the advantage and won the match.
– You said that this game was more confident. In what way, if compared to the first match?
– I already said that it is very difficult to play against such a team as Barcelona for the first time, you worry a little. But we showed that we can play in Spain already in the second half. We got this experience there and probably the second half in Barcelona gave us confidence. And now we proved it – from the first minutes we started playing our football. Of course, everyone understands that it is Barcelona and it was tough. We played most of the time without the ball, but we also showed good moments and secured a victory, it's the most important thing.
– What did the head coach demand and can we say that Shakhtar are already playing Marino Pusic’s football?
– There is still a lot to work on. He just arrived, only two weeks in the team, and I can't say that it is our maximum. That's why we showed step by step that we can play. Of course, it was difficult as the field does not quite suit for combinational football. But we showed the mettle, showed, perhaps, true Miner's spirit.
– You were recognized as the Player of the Match. What does it mean to you, because we saw that you were surprised and did not expect it?
– It seems to me that I had brighter matches before and did not receive any honours. Seriously, this is the first time for me, and I can say that I am very happy. It's great to receive the Man of the Match award in the Champions League, it's an incredible experience. However, I got it thanks to the team.
– After the award presentation, you had a small conversation with Marino. What did he tell you?
– He said: "Trust me, this is only the beginning."
– How do you assess Shakhtar's chances in the group after this victory?
– I don't want to say loud words, but we are working. I have been saying since the first round: we believe that we can advance from the group and we are working very hard for this. So I believe in our team and look forward to the next matches.