EnglishWe conceded easy goals in the first half
Sunday, August 4, 2024
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Press conference of head coach of Vorskla Serhii Dolhanskyi after the first match of the season against Shakhtar
– Serhii Mykolaiovych, were you able to analyse anything immediately after the game?
– Analysis immediately after the game is always emotional. The result affects our emotions and vision. We tried to play against Shakhtar using 4–2–3–1 scheme, although previously we used another one. We prepared for the game but conceded easy goals in the first half: two shots into the target – two goals. We started the second half well, had opportunities that should have been converted, and conceded a goal again. I have a feeling of deja vu about the last season, when basic moments end with penalty against us. Then we tried to play more actively, to cover, but we made mistakes and conceded goals.
– Can we say that the team did not learn to focus on the events of the match after the training camp? It seems that the footballers lack concentration in certain game episodes, as it was at the end of the last season, which you have repeatedly talked about. It appears that we see the same thing at the start of the new season. Is it true, and if so, what could it be related to?
– The first matches of the championship were more about emotions. There is some worry, and it is not always clear in which state you start the season. Friendly and official games have a completely different intensity. We made mistakes that are difficult to fix – they are visible and repetitive. You count on the fact that, after making a mistake, the footballer will analyse and progress, but so far, some players repeat their mistakes.
– At what stage is the search for two centre-backs and do you plan to strengthen the central holding area?
– We can only recommend the footballers to the management, but we cannot directly influence the process. We determine the necessary positions and profiles of players, and selection and finances are handled by the club’s management. As for the centre-backs, we have already signed two new players and we count on them. We will be able to assess the optimal level of these footballers only during the matches. We expect them to play at a certain level, but only matches will show their true skills, and they will become stable centre-backs already in the process.
– You suggest the positions that need to be strengthened to the management. And what tasks does the management set for the new season?
– The tasks were announced in the media. The main goal is to advance to the European Cups.
– The team has newcomers who have not been publicly introduced. Can you say a few words about each of them?
– Centre-back Gucek played for Chornomorets at a high level all the time, and we know his abilities well. I do not think that it is necessary to further describe it. Forward Iyede also moved from Chornomorets. We are aware of his abilities, but he had been very seriously ill during the training camp and he started training with us only three days ago, so his condition is not yet optimal. Ndukwe played for Polissia, and for Zviahel before that. We learned about him from the coaches whom he worked with, and they noted that Denys has great qualities that are generally absent in Ukraine, but he needs time to show them at a high level. He did not play much in the Premier League, where the pace and intensity of the game are higher, so we hope that he will be able to open up. Chornomorets is a player who has been performing in the Premier League for a long time, has a certain level and will not drop below. We know his abilities and we will try to use them. Skrijelj is a very smart performer who is able to make key passes, playing at the helm. When we will play against teams where we will be able to control the game in the second or third zone, he will help us a lot.
– In what physical condition did the footballers arrive after the Olympics?
– In different ones. Illia Krupskyi played three matches, and after the last one, they travelled for two days to get to Ukraine, having arrived literally a day and a half ago. I think they are not in the best shape.
– It is very difficult psychologically to start the season playing at home against former champion, but losing 0-2, the team sped up. Tell us what happened in the second half and why Shakhtar continued to control the game.
– We had goal-scoring opportunities until the third scored goal, and this goal became the key one, out of the blue, after that the team was psychologically defeated. We need to reach a certain level and improve gradually.
– Analysis immediately after the game is always emotional. The result affects our emotions and vision. We tried to play against Shakhtar using 4–2–3–1 scheme, although previously we used another one. We prepared for the game but conceded easy goals in the first half: two shots into the target – two goals. We started the second half well, had opportunities that should have been converted, and conceded a goal again. I have a feeling of deja vu about the last season, when basic moments end with penalty against us. Then we tried to play more actively, to cover, but we made mistakes and conceded goals.
– Can we say that the team did not learn to focus on the events of the match after the training camp? It seems that the footballers lack concentration in certain game episodes, as it was at the end of the last season, which you have repeatedly talked about. It appears that we see the same thing at the start of the new season. Is it true, and if so, what could it be related to?
– The first matches of the championship were more about emotions. There is some worry, and it is not always clear in which state you start the season. Friendly and official games have a completely different intensity. We made mistakes that are difficult to fix – they are visible and repetitive. You count on the fact that, after making a mistake, the footballer will analyse and progress, but so far, some players repeat their mistakes.
– At what stage is the search for two centre-backs and do you plan to strengthen the central holding area?
– We can only recommend the footballers to the management, but we cannot directly influence the process. We determine the necessary positions and profiles of players, and selection and finances are handled by the club’s management. As for the centre-backs, we have already signed two new players and we count on them. We will be able to assess the optimal level of these footballers only during the matches. We expect them to play at a certain level, but only matches will show their true skills, and they will become stable centre-backs already in the process.
– You suggest the positions that need to be strengthened to the management. And what tasks does the management set for the new season?
– The tasks were announced in the media. The main goal is to advance to the European Cups.
– The team has newcomers who have not been publicly introduced. Can you say a few words about each of them?
– Centre-back Gucek played for Chornomorets at a high level all the time, and we know his abilities well. I do not think that it is necessary to further describe it. Forward Iyede also moved from Chornomorets. We are aware of his abilities, but he had been very seriously ill during the training camp and he started training with us only three days ago, so his condition is not yet optimal. Ndukwe played for Polissia, and for Zviahel before that. We learned about him from the coaches whom he worked with, and they noted that Denys has great qualities that are generally absent in Ukraine, but he needs time to show them at a high level. He did not play much in the Premier League, where the pace and intensity of the game are higher, so we hope that he will be able to open up. Chornomorets is a player who has been performing in the Premier League for a long time, has a certain level and will not drop below. We know his abilities and we will try to use them. Skrijelj is a very smart performer who is able to make key passes, playing at the helm. When we will play against teams where we will be able to control the game in the second or third zone, he will help us a lot.
– In what physical condition did the footballers arrive after the Olympics?
– In different ones. Illia Krupskyi played three matches, and after the last one, they travelled for two days to get to Ukraine, having arrived literally a day and a half ago. I think they are not in the best shape.
– It is very difficult psychologically to start the season playing at home against former champion, but losing 0-2, the team sped up. Tell us what happened in the second half and why Shakhtar continued to control the game.
– We had goal-scoring opportunities until the third scored goal, and this goal became the key one, out of the blue, after that the team was psychologically defeated. We need to reach a certain level and improve gradually.