We are a team that finds a way to win
Saturday, April 27, 2024
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Head coach of Shakhtar Marino Pusic commented on the game against LNZ (3-0) and answered the journalists’ questions at the post-match press conference
– Like always, it was a tough away game. I have to say, that there was also a tough pitch: it is tough for both teams, and especially for the team that tried to build up and attack all the time. It is very important that we controlled the game most of the time, created what we needed to create, which is not so easy when the opponent is in a pretty low block, and the pitch did not add speed today, it was pretty dry. But OK, it is what it is. We did what we wanted and needed to do: we scored the goals in good episodes, created several chances and were organised most of the time. It is a very important victory, of course, like victory in every game. I can only be satisfied with the concentration of my team most of the time, in most moments. Because when you win the away game 3-0, it is very good.
– Artem Bondarenko was injured at the start of the match, and in his absence the game was very tough. Is it known how serious his injury is?
– We hope that it is not too serious, but obviously, when the player has to leave the pitch after a couple of minutes, I think he twisted his ankle, then you know that it can be serious. We have to wait a day or two, and then we will know more about it. I hope it is not serious, but when the player leaves the game like that, it is not a good sign.
– In the first 40 minutes, Shakhtar’s game was not really the game of the champion or the team that play in the Champions League. It seemed that it became a lot easier when the team scored the first goal, and then, of course, it was easier. My question is as follows: if we talk about such games as with Marseille or matches of the European Cups, how do you think your tactics should change to make it more intensive or pressing in the attacking line?
– You mean in this game?
– Hypothetically.
– No, then I do not agree with you. If you are thinking in general, then I absolutely do not agree with you. Then you have not seen our matches when we play on a normal pitch. I agree with you regarding today’s game and the first 40 minutes, because it was very difficult to find free spaces, to move forward with the ball, and we had to play more from the sides. Then we changed the situation and created the conditions to bring our players, who can make a difference in better moments, so that is what we did, and we played a little bit better after the scored goal, but actually, it was also scored through pretty good actions. Because it is not so easy to play, you cannot compare the European games with the domestic matches, because there are different energy levels, different circumstances in which we have to play. And we saw these circumstances today. And I have to say, that all these circumstances – dry pitch, uneven pitch – are very good circumstances for the team that defend but do not attack. You have to struggle a little more, but, first of all, you have to be very organised and disciplined to avoid counterattacks. In this part we did pretty well. I agree, it was not our best game, not in general, but it was more than enough to win 3-0 away. And if you watch all our games before that, then you will see: we did a very good job and played very well. I suggest you watch the previous matches. But I like this conversation with you.
– I want to ask you in the context of this question: will your game change in the matches against Dynamo and Dnipro-1, where the pace will be much higher?
– Yes, we like this pace, we know it and try to play a fast game. Look, of course, for a very good game you need two sides, two teams. And, of course, the following is always up to us: creating more, getting to the last third, scoring more goals. But you need two sides. Of course, what other teams are doing is legitimate, I am not against it, but answering your question in this context, you need two teams, you need certain circumstances to play fast and intense football. If there are no such conditions, we also show that we are able to switch to other level and to other side to find a way to win within our style of play. That is why I am satisfied with the development of my team in this context, which is very important, because you cannot always play nicely as you have to deal with the opponent, and you need to be organised not to give away moments and to put good players in good positions, and also you need to have a little more patience sometimes. Good question.
– There is a feeling that Traore is not very “hungry” or aggressive in some parts of the game, and Zubkov is not that intense or fast in terms of finishing. Did you like their game today?
– Whenever I talk about an individual player, there has to be a wider context. Zubkov returned after a two-match suspension, he was ill before that, so he is getting into his rhythm. So, I am very happy that he got his rhythm today and tried to do his best. And although it was not the best game, he also created a very important chance, so when we talk about individual players, there is always a wider context, and in this context they need to perform. Traore is also very important for us: he returned after a long period of injury, he did not play for a year, so once you return you need to prepare. He is a player who has to build up his physique, confidence during the competition, which is very difficult. But when I see what he showed and did for us today and in the games until now, I can be very proud of his character and the effort he makes for the team. And if we talk about Zubkov, and I am not talking only about the attacking part, because he is also responsible for defence, he worked very hard for the team. All these things are very important for me to make a judgement about the player, and not just what I see in one moment. So, in general I am very happy with both of them.
– Today the difference between the teams was striking, Shakhtar’s class was higher. Ukrainian coach Valerii Lobanovskyi called such games “training sessions with higher responsibility”. Is it satisfying for you because you are coaching the team that is two heads above? Or is it not great, because your team does not have experience of playing under stress and this makes it hard internationally?
– But it is the same question. Look, you have to understand, that every game has its own story, its own energy. I agree with Mr Lobanovskyi in this part, but there is always a big difference between a serious training game and a game where you have to win the points. If we talk about the Champions League, I hope that you also saw our matches in the Champions League, because we played damn well there. So, every game, every competition has its own story. When you play in the Champions League, for us as a club it is the biggest disadvantage to compare other teams and the fact that we play in the Champions League and that after the stadium with 70 thousands people we have to play in an empty stadium. Let me say this: it is the same case as when you want to make love with a very beautiful woman, but the next day you see a very ugly woman. So, you cannot compare the games and the competitions, because every competition has its own energy, every match has its own story. I am sorry for the comparison, but you understand what I mean. You have to be mentally strong to play such games, you should have tactics and discipline to perform in such matches and to achieve the result you want – a victory. So, what we – my team, my players – are doing is a tremendous job. No team in the world is in the same situation like us, comparing with the Champions League. We are travelling, we have a big difference in emotions between the Champions League and the domestic league – with spectators, without spectators. So, I am very happy when I hear people screaming outside. I hope that soon the people will be allowed to attend the matches to cheer for their teams, so that we feel a real football atmosphere – it would be good for everyone. But I understand that in this situation it is normal. So, whatever the circumstances, we are a team that finds a way to win.
– Artem Bondarenko was injured at the start of the match, and in his absence the game was very tough. Is it known how serious his injury is?
– We hope that it is not too serious, but obviously, when the player has to leave the pitch after a couple of minutes, I think he twisted his ankle, then you know that it can be serious. We have to wait a day or two, and then we will know more about it. I hope it is not serious, but when the player leaves the game like that, it is not a good sign.
– In the first 40 minutes, Shakhtar’s game was not really the game of the champion or the team that play in the Champions League. It seemed that it became a lot easier when the team scored the first goal, and then, of course, it was easier. My question is as follows: if we talk about such games as with Marseille or matches of the European Cups, how do you think your tactics should change to make it more intensive or pressing in the attacking line?
– You mean in this game?
– Hypothetically.
– No, then I do not agree with you. If you are thinking in general, then I absolutely do not agree with you. Then you have not seen our matches when we play on a normal pitch. I agree with you regarding today’s game and the first 40 minutes, because it was very difficult to find free spaces, to move forward with the ball, and we had to play more from the sides. Then we changed the situation and created the conditions to bring our players, who can make a difference in better moments, so that is what we did, and we played a little bit better after the scored goal, but actually, it was also scored through pretty good actions. Because it is not so easy to play, you cannot compare the European games with the domestic matches, because there are different energy levels, different circumstances in which we have to play. And we saw these circumstances today. And I have to say, that all these circumstances – dry pitch, uneven pitch – are very good circumstances for the team that defend but do not attack. You have to struggle a little more, but, first of all, you have to be very organised and disciplined to avoid counterattacks. In this part we did pretty well. I agree, it was not our best game, not in general, but it was more than enough to win 3-0 away. And if you watch all our games before that, then you will see: we did a very good job and played very well. I suggest you watch the previous matches. But I like this conversation with you.
– I want to ask you in the context of this question: will your game change in the matches against Dynamo and Dnipro-1, where the pace will be much higher?
– Yes, we like this pace, we know it and try to play a fast game. Look, of course, for a very good game you need two sides, two teams. And, of course, the following is always up to us: creating more, getting to the last third, scoring more goals. But you need two sides. Of course, what other teams are doing is legitimate, I am not against it, but answering your question in this context, you need two teams, you need certain circumstances to play fast and intense football. If there are no such conditions, we also show that we are able to switch to other level and to other side to find a way to win within our style of play. That is why I am satisfied with the development of my team in this context, which is very important, because you cannot always play nicely as you have to deal with the opponent, and you need to be organised not to give away moments and to put good players in good positions, and also you need to have a little more patience sometimes. Good question.
– There is a feeling that Traore is not very “hungry” or aggressive in some parts of the game, and Zubkov is not that intense or fast in terms of finishing. Did you like their game today?
– Whenever I talk about an individual player, there has to be a wider context. Zubkov returned after a two-match suspension, he was ill before that, so he is getting into his rhythm. So, I am very happy that he got his rhythm today and tried to do his best. And although it was not the best game, he also created a very important chance, so when we talk about individual players, there is always a wider context, and in this context they need to perform. Traore is also very important for us: he returned after a long period of injury, he did not play for a year, so once you return you need to prepare. He is a player who has to build up his physique, confidence during the competition, which is very difficult. But when I see what he showed and did for us today and in the games until now, I can be very proud of his character and the effort he makes for the team. And if we talk about Zubkov, and I am not talking only about the attacking part, because he is also responsible for defence, he worked very hard for the team. All these things are very important for me to make a judgement about the player, and not just what I see in one moment. So, in general I am very happy with both of them.
– Today the difference between the teams was striking, Shakhtar’s class was higher. Ukrainian coach Valerii Lobanovskyi called such games “training sessions with higher responsibility”. Is it satisfying for you because you are coaching the team that is two heads above? Or is it not great, because your team does not have experience of playing under stress and this makes it hard internationally?
– But it is the same question. Look, you have to understand, that every game has its own story, its own energy. I agree with Mr Lobanovskyi in this part, but there is always a big difference between a serious training game and a game where you have to win the points. If we talk about the Champions League, I hope that you also saw our matches in the Champions League, because we played damn well there. So, every game, every competition has its own story. When you play in the Champions League, for us as a club it is the biggest disadvantage to compare other teams and the fact that we play in the Champions League and that after the stadium with 70 thousands people we have to play in an empty stadium. Let me say this: it is the same case as when you want to make love with a very beautiful woman, but the next day you see a very ugly woman. So, you cannot compare the games and the competitions, because every competition has its own energy, every match has its own story. I am sorry for the comparison, but you understand what I mean. You have to be mentally strong to play such games, you should have tactics and discipline to perform in such matches and to achieve the result you want – a victory. So, what we – my team, my players – are doing is a tremendous job. No team in the world is in the same situation like us, comparing with the Champions League. We are travelling, we have a big difference in emotions between the Champions League and the domestic league – with spectators, without spectators. So, I am very happy when I hear people screaming outside. I hope that soon the people will be allowed to attend the matches to cheer for their teams, so that we feel a real football atmosphere – it would be good for everyone. But I understand that in this situation it is normal. So, whatever the circumstances, we are a team that finds a way to win.