There will always be pressure on Shakhtar U19 players
Sunday, April 21, 2024
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Commentary of head coach of Shakhtar U19 Oleksii Bielik after the victory over Zorya U19
– Congratulations on an important victory! What is the summary of the game?
– A tough match, and we should give credit to Zorya U19 who played with five defenders and actually tried to cover all free space. The first half was difficult, and the second one showed that, despite the problems with opening the opponent’s defence, we were in their part of the field and attacked most of the time. Of course, it was not without luck, but I think we deserved it. I cannot influence and judge the opponent’s style of play, but if the opponent is stimulated by others to take points from Shakhtar already in youth football, then youth football is being killed with such actions. I do not understand how it is possible not to play football at such a level, but prevent it from being played. It is always important for my team to have a good pitch and for the referee not to interfere, and we will play football. If the new management of the UAF aims to improve the level of youth football so that the clubs are able to compete in the UEFA Youth League, then the teams must play instead of interfering and being in defence all the time. It is important for me that my players constantly progress and are versatile, because in the long run, only such footballers who have skills and intelligence are able to solve tasks.
– How did the players cope with the pressure and what did you say to them at half-time?
– There will always be pressure on Shakhtar U19 players, and they have to deal with it, because they are in the team not without a reason, but because they were chosen, they are good footballers, and they have to prove it in every game. I told the guys that we can win every game, and we understand the effort it takes to achieve these wins. Spectators think that victories are easy to get, but we play against good teams, and when we lose, there is always a lot of attention and questions for us, because everyone is used to the fact that Shakhtar U19 always have to win. I am grateful to my players, and we deserved the luck, and even if it was not on our side, I would have praised the guys in the same way, because I understand that mistakes always happen, and despite this, we play football. I know that in the future the Academy players will join the teams of the clubs of the Premier League or the First League. After the break, I pointed out the mistakes to the guys, and we needed to make changes in the tactical structure of the game.
– Forward Vitalii Myts made his debut and scored a goal in the game against Zorya U19. What can you say about his performance?
– He was recovering from a serious injury for a long time, and before this, he played well and was one of the leaders of Shakhtar U17. So far, I am getting to know him in the training process, and I see that he is a player with great qualities, speed, and most importantly, he has football intelligence. After a serious injury, he shows character and is not afraid to hold the ball. I hope that the goal scored in the debut game will be a starting point, and we will count on him.
– A tough match, and we should give credit to Zorya U19 who played with five defenders and actually tried to cover all free space. The first half was difficult, and the second one showed that, despite the problems with opening the opponent’s defence, we were in their part of the field and attacked most of the time. Of course, it was not without luck, but I think we deserved it. I cannot influence and judge the opponent’s style of play, but if the opponent is stimulated by others to take points from Shakhtar already in youth football, then youth football is being killed with such actions. I do not understand how it is possible not to play football at such a level, but prevent it from being played. It is always important for my team to have a good pitch and for the referee not to interfere, and we will play football. If the new management of the UAF aims to improve the level of youth football so that the clubs are able to compete in the UEFA Youth League, then the teams must play instead of interfering and being in defence all the time. It is important for me that my players constantly progress and are versatile, because in the long run, only such footballers who have skills and intelligence are able to solve tasks.
– How did the players cope with the pressure and what did you say to them at half-time?
– There will always be pressure on Shakhtar U19 players, and they have to deal with it, because they are in the team not without a reason, but because they were chosen, they are good footballers, and they have to prove it in every game. I told the guys that we can win every game, and we understand the effort it takes to achieve these wins. Spectators think that victories are easy to get, but we play against good teams, and when we lose, there is always a lot of attention and questions for us, because everyone is used to the fact that Shakhtar U19 always have to win. I am grateful to my players, and we deserved the luck, and even if it was not on our side, I would have praised the guys in the same way, because I understand that mistakes always happen, and despite this, we play football. I know that in the future the Academy players will join the teams of the clubs of the Premier League or the First League. After the break, I pointed out the mistakes to the guys, and we needed to make changes in the tactical structure of the game.
– Forward Vitalii Myts made his debut and scored a goal in the game against Zorya U19. What can you say about his performance?
– He was recovering from a serious injury for a long time, and before this, he played well and was one of the leaders of Shakhtar U17. So far, I am getting to know him in the training process, and I see that he is a player with great qualities, speed, and most importantly, he has football intelligence. After a serious injury, he shows character and is not afraid to hold the ball. I hope that the goal scored in the debut game will be a starting point, and we will count on him.