I am happy with all players, atmosphere and commitment
Saturday, October 21, 2023
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Press conference of caretaker coach of Shakhtar Darijo Srna after the match against LNZ (3-0)
– Darijo, this was your first match as a coach. What did you feel?
- I surprised myself today, because I was not nervous.
– And the second question: you said you would change players if they did not run for more than three minutes, what was the situation today?
– Everyone ran more than necessary. This was a problem sometimes. What can I say about the game, the score is on the board. But if you ask me if I am fully satisfied, I will say that I am not. LNZ could have scored two goals, although, on the other hand, we could have scored five or six goals. However, I see that we are on the right track. I feel that the team are returning to their Shakhtar’s football, which made us stand out for the past 20 years and will make us stand out in the future. I am happy because of the emotions they showed on the field and in the dressing room. I think that I helped them at least a little during these three days. It is all right, today we will rest, and tomorrow we will watch Barcelona. We are going there. Barcelona are Barcelona. Favourites. For my part, I will do everything so that the players try to play our football. As our president says, “It is better to lose in a beautiful way than to win in an ugly way.”
– Matviienko and Sudakov were on the bench. Did you let them rest after the national team or before Barcelona?
– First of all, Sudakov is very tired. I talked to him. Matviienko got hit in the knee. I released players who were here and worked. Newerton got a chance, Topalov got a chance. I count on all the players who are in the team. And I am happy with all players today: atmosphere, commitment. And the most important thing is that we gained three points.
– Regarding your coaching, if you have a winning streak now, is it likely that you will remain a coach and the club will not look for another mentor?
– I already told you: I will return with a decision when I am ready. And today I think that I, together with my people who work in the sports sector, can bring a better coach. Of course, if we do not bring him, I will probably stay. That is why we are working on it.
– However, I would like to clarify, are negotiations with other coaches under way now?
– Yes. We are negotiating. Abroad.
– From Europe?
– Yes.
– Darijo, did you see Shakhtar’s football that you mentioned the day before in the team’s actions today?
– I saw Shakhtar’s football in many moments today. Transition from defence, every created moment, every goal we scored did not appear out of the blue, but this is the quality of the players and the talent they have.
– An important Champions League match against the opponents whom Shakhtar defeated in Barcelona is ahead. What are your expectations from this showdown?
– Well, listen, we are playing against Barcelona. Barcelona are always Barcelona. Xavi is Xavi. I already said that we are going there to play Shakhtar’s football. We will do everything so that the players have fun, so that Shakhtar fans are satisfied with the dedication and quality of football.
- I surprised myself today, because I was not nervous.
– And the second question: you said you would change players if they did not run for more than three minutes, what was the situation today?
– Everyone ran more than necessary. This was a problem sometimes. What can I say about the game, the score is on the board. But if you ask me if I am fully satisfied, I will say that I am not. LNZ could have scored two goals, although, on the other hand, we could have scored five or six goals. However, I see that we are on the right track. I feel that the team are returning to their Shakhtar’s football, which made us stand out for the past 20 years and will make us stand out in the future. I am happy because of the emotions they showed on the field and in the dressing room. I think that I helped them at least a little during these three days. It is all right, today we will rest, and tomorrow we will watch Barcelona. We are going there. Barcelona are Barcelona. Favourites. For my part, I will do everything so that the players try to play our football. As our president says, “It is better to lose in a beautiful way than to win in an ugly way.”
– Matviienko and Sudakov were on the bench. Did you let them rest after the national team or before Barcelona?
– First of all, Sudakov is very tired. I talked to him. Matviienko got hit in the knee. I released players who were here and worked. Newerton got a chance, Topalov got a chance. I count on all the players who are in the team. And I am happy with all players today: atmosphere, commitment. And the most important thing is that we gained three points.
– Regarding your coaching, if you have a winning streak now, is it likely that you will remain a coach and the club will not look for another mentor?
– I already told you: I will return with a decision when I am ready. And today I think that I, together with my people who work in the sports sector, can bring a better coach. Of course, if we do not bring him, I will probably stay. That is why we are working on it.
– However, I would like to clarify, are negotiations with other coaches under way now?
– Yes. We are negotiating. Abroad.
– From Europe?
– Yes.
– Darijo, did you see Shakhtar’s football that you mentioned the day before in the team’s actions today?
– I saw Shakhtar’s football in many moments today. Transition from defence, every created moment, every goal we scored did not appear out of the blue, but this is the quality of the players and the talent they have.
– An important Champions League match against the opponents whom Shakhtar defeated in Barcelona is ahead. What are your expectations from this showdown?
– Well, listen, we are playing against Barcelona. Barcelona are always Barcelona. Xavi is Xavi. I already said that we are going there to play Shakhtar’s football. We will do everything so that the players have fun, so that Shakhtar fans are satisfied with the dedication and quality of football.