We can do more and we want more
Thursday, October 26, 2023
|
Shakhtar defender Heorhii Sudakov shared his impressions of the game and his first goal in the Champions League
– Shakhtar fought to the end on the field. Did the team manage to show Shakhtar’s football?
– I think we showed what we are capable of, that we can play football that the fans like, that we like, that we can play short and middle passing. Yes, everyone understands that it is Barcelona and it is difficult to play against them, moreover playing away. But we did. I said before the match that we want to play and we tried to play. Something worked out, something didn't... We conceded two goals in a short period of time and it knocked us down a bit. But in the second half, we came together and started to play real Shakhtar’s football. I think after a match like this, where we lost 1-2, we are not satisfied with the result and are a little disappointed because we had some chances. Yes, we understand it is Barcelona, and someone can say that 1-2 is quite good, but it is not enough for us. We can do more and we want more.
– You looked very confident at the pre-match press conference. Did you feel like you could score?
– I go to every game with the desire to score and provide assists. That's my job as an attacking midfielder. And, of course, I can't say how I felt, but I wanted to score.
– How do you feel when you score against Barcelona? Can you remember that moment?
– I can't say that I have any special emotions because we lost. Perhaps, if this goal had become somehow decisive, then there would have been different emotions. I can say this: if I don't score, but the team wins, then it will be much better. As for the goal, I remember that I was alone, I passed Azarov on the wing, ran and burst into the zone where he gave a very good pass, I found myself one-on-one and scored.
– What were the main instructions and requirements given by Pusic for this match?
– Playing through a short pass to the third player. It is what we used to do. Also, if there are chances, move behind the back, look for free zones, shoot as much as possible. In general, play sharp football, as you said, Shakhtar’s football.
– Let's summarize: how should Shakhtar play in the second match against Barcelona and what mistakes should not be made?
– Well, you saw those moments when they scored goals against us: it's moving behind the back and playing between the lines. We should probably be more focused on covering the lines, playing between the lines and covering the back.
– Will it be easier on our field?
– I hope that it will be much easier with our fans.
– I think we showed what we are capable of, that we can play football that the fans like, that we like, that we can play short and middle passing. Yes, everyone understands that it is Barcelona and it is difficult to play against them, moreover playing away. But we did. I said before the match that we want to play and we tried to play. Something worked out, something didn't... We conceded two goals in a short period of time and it knocked us down a bit. But in the second half, we came together and started to play real Shakhtar’s football. I think after a match like this, where we lost 1-2, we are not satisfied with the result and are a little disappointed because we had some chances. Yes, we understand it is Barcelona, and someone can say that 1-2 is quite good, but it is not enough for us. We can do more and we want more.
– You looked very confident at the pre-match press conference. Did you feel like you could score?
– I go to every game with the desire to score and provide assists. That's my job as an attacking midfielder. And, of course, I can't say how I felt, but I wanted to score.
– How do you feel when you score against Barcelona? Can you remember that moment?
– I can't say that I have any special emotions because we lost. Perhaps, if this goal had become somehow decisive, then there would have been different emotions. I can say this: if I don't score, but the team wins, then it will be much better. As for the goal, I remember that I was alone, I passed Azarov on the wing, ran and burst into the zone where he gave a very good pass, I found myself one-on-one and scored.
– What were the main instructions and requirements given by Pusic for this match?
– Playing through a short pass to the third player. It is what we used to do. Also, if there are chances, move behind the back, look for free zones, shoot as much as possible. In general, play sharp football, as you said, Shakhtar’s football.
– Let's summarize: how should Shakhtar play in the second match against Barcelona and what mistakes should not be made?
– Well, you saw those moments when they scored goals against us: it's moving behind the back and playing between the lines. We should probably be more focused on covering the lines, playing between the lines and covering the back.
– Will it be easier on our field?
– I hope that it will be much easier with our fans.