We showed a lot of good things
Wednesday, December 11, 2024
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Press conference of head coach of Shakhtar Marino Pusic after the match against Bayern
– Mister, can you explain one of your decisions regarding the starting line-up: why did you release Mykola Matviienko on the wing and Ghram played in the centre? (ua.tribuna.com)
– Is this really your first question? You always ask about the squad, who is playing or not playing. Because I decided so and thought that it was good for this match. As you can see, it was good in the first half.
– How do you rate the performance of Ghram and Marlon in this match? (football24.ua)
– Very well. Two young players without a lot of experience at this level play with determination, with character. Yes, like every young player, they make mistakes, but this is a price we pay for development. And I am very proud of both guys. They showed courage, they tried to play, and it is not easy to face one of the best teams in the world, of course. But I like to put young players into the game so that they develop, reach a certain level. This is actually the price we pay, and that is OK. Both Alaa Ghram and Marlon are fantastic young players, who are developing well, have a great character, and I am sure that they will take this experience to the next games, will improve even more and their contribution to the team will be bigger.
– Do you feel that the players gave their all? What conclusions do you make from this defeat for future matches? (Independent Sports)
– Yes, I agree, they really did everything they could. I can tell you that I am disappointed with the result, this is the first thing, because I think we gave the game away at the end of the first half. But I cannot complain about the energy, discipline and tactics of my players, because they did everything they could. So, one more time, when you play against such opponents, you will be punished very fast for every single small mistake. And, unfortunately, we experienced that in the first half.
– A 1-5 score implies problems in the holding area and defence. There is a month and a half left before Dortmund. In your opinion, is it possible to fix anything during this time? (terrikon.com)
– I will put 10 defenders. This is a joke my friend. Of course, conceding 5 goals is too much, but at the same time, like I said, this is a game against an excellent team. I think we showed a lot of good things. And my philosophy will never change even if we concede 5 goals. So we will try to play, we will try to play with all attacking midfielders, attack like we did tonight. So do not expect us to release a lot of defenders – this never happened. This is the logical part of the game. Like I said before the game, you have to be almost perfect to beat such opponents. I can say that we were almost like that in the first half, almost. But, one more time, inexperience in certain moments and details was decisive in this game. Although even after that mental punch in the first half we started the second half really well, and I think we had two great chances from set pieces and corner kicks. And, of course, it is a game. Then we conceded the third goal, penalty. Do you think there was a penalty? I do not think so. So, it was a present from the referee, unfortunately. And then it was too much. And after that we tried to play, to attack, to create something. We had some moments. And of course, the game was very open, one-one-one almost all over the pitch, which is not easy in the match against Bayern Munich. And we got these two goals. It can happen, just for statistics. Altogether, to answer your question: I will put 11 attackers in the next game.
– The final UPL match will take place this weekend, and then you have a winter break. Can we expect strengthening of the team through transfers before the game against Brest? (Zorya Londonsk)
– I do not know what we are going to do during the winter break regarding transfers and that kind of stuff. After the last game, I have to meet the managers of the club and discuss certain things and see if we can strengthen the team, each position, and how to do that. It is still undecided, I do not know. We have to think about it. But, one more time: all my players really did their best, so I cannot complain about their attitude and work rate.
– What did you say to the team in the dressing room immediately after the match? (ua-football.com)
– The things I already told you. That these kind of matches are decided at the level of details, and tonight Bayern prevailed at the level of details, which is normal, actually. That we were very close in the first half and, unfortunately, gave the game away. At the same time, I told them not to feel sorry for themselves because we did everything to get a result in this match. I think we presented ourselves well, and I want everybody to switch their minds immediately and prepare for the next game – against Polissia. For me this is the most important thing now. So, I will speak with you about this game – and I will immediately move on, focusing on the next match. And I told my players the same thing.
– With several conceded goals, Bayern players Muller, Olise and Musiala stayed in the penalty area alone in several square metres. Why? (ua-football.com)
– Because they are very good – that is why. Skillful players who have a lot of qualities, move a lot, and it is not easy to defend against such performers. This is an answer to your question. You cannot wonder why such quality players are sometimes free – this is why they are top players. Although, we did everything to defend, but we defended as a team, and of course, when you face such opponents, it is logical that they will create chances. This is quite normal.
– This is the final match of the Champions League this year, so how would you rate this European Cup campaign in general? It is clear that there are still two matches ahead, but the ones you have already played. (ua.tribuna.com)
– I want to say that, in general, we played a lot of good games, showed pretty good football. We did not always get the result we deserved, especially in the previous match. But we showed ourselves, played and competed with other teams. I am satisfied with what we showed overall in this Champions League campaign. Could we get more points? Yes, we could. At the same time, I have to say that we have a very tough schedule, and playing against top teams is not so easy. I will say this: the experience that we get in such games is very good for the players. Sometimes there are certain disappointments, but also self-development. In general, I can be satisfied with this part of the tournament. One more time, considering where we come from, what kind of football life we have and what we have to go through, both as a team and as a club, I can only say: well done, boys! We must learn from our mistakes, and we will become stronger after all of that. We have two more games to play, it is not done yet, but it will be very difficult to get to the next stage, we should be realistic. But we played a lot of good matches in this campaign.
– Is this really your first question? You always ask about the squad, who is playing or not playing. Because I decided so and thought that it was good for this match. As you can see, it was good in the first half.
– How do you rate the performance of Ghram and Marlon in this match? (football24.ua)
– Very well. Two young players without a lot of experience at this level play with determination, with character. Yes, like every young player, they make mistakes, but this is a price we pay for development. And I am very proud of both guys. They showed courage, they tried to play, and it is not easy to face one of the best teams in the world, of course. But I like to put young players into the game so that they develop, reach a certain level. This is actually the price we pay, and that is OK. Both Alaa Ghram and Marlon are fantastic young players, who are developing well, have a great character, and I am sure that they will take this experience to the next games, will improve even more and their contribution to the team will be bigger.
– Do you feel that the players gave their all? What conclusions do you make from this defeat for future matches? (Independent Sports)
– Yes, I agree, they really did everything they could. I can tell you that I am disappointed with the result, this is the first thing, because I think we gave the game away at the end of the first half. But I cannot complain about the energy, discipline and tactics of my players, because they did everything they could. So, one more time, when you play against such opponents, you will be punished very fast for every single small mistake. And, unfortunately, we experienced that in the first half.
– A 1-5 score implies problems in the holding area and defence. There is a month and a half left before Dortmund. In your opinion, is it possible to fix anything during this time? (terrikon.com)
– I will put 10 defenders. This is a joke my friend. Of course, conceding 5 goals is too much, but at the same time, like I said, this is a game against an excellent team. I think we showed a lot of good things. And my philosophy will never change even if we concede 5 goals. So we will try to play, we will try to play with all attacking midfielders, attack like we did tonight. So do not expect us to release a lot of defenders – this never happened. This is the logical part of the game. Like I said before the game, you have to be almost perfect to beat such opponents. I can say that we were almost like that in the first half, almost. But, one more time, inexperience in certain moments and details was decisive in this game. Although even after that mental punch in the first half we started the second half really well, and I think we had two great chances from set pieces and corner kicks. And, of course, it is a game. Then we conceded the third goal, penalty. Do you think there was a penalty? I do not think so. So, it was a present from the referee, unfortunately. And then it was too much. And after that we tried to play, to attack, to create something. We had some moments. And of course, the game was very open, one-one-one almost all over the pitch, which is not easy in the match against Bayern Munich. And we got these two goals. It can happen, just for statistics. Altogether, to answer your question: I will put 11 attackers in the next game.
– The final UPL match will take place this weekend, and then you have a winter break. Can we expect strengthening of the team through transfers before the game against Brest? (Zorya Londonsk)
– I do not know what we are going to do during the winter break regarding transfers and that kind of stuff. After the last game, I have to meet the managers of the club and discuss certain things and see if we can strengthen the team, each position, and how to do that. It is still undecided, I do not know. We have to think about it. But, one more time: all my players really did their best, so I cannot complain about their attitude and work rate.
– What did you say to the team in the dressing room immediately after the match? (ua-football.com)
– The things I already told you. That these kind of matches are decided at the level of details, and tonight Bayern prevailed at the level of details, which is normal, actually. That we were very close in the first half and, unfortunately, gave the game away. At the same time, I told them not to feel sorry for themselves because we did everything to get a result in this match. I think we presented ourselves well, and I want everybody to switch their minds immediately and prepare for the next game – against Polissia. For me this is the most important thing now. So, I will speak with you about this game – and I will immediately move on, focusing on the next match. And I told my players the same thing.
– With several conceded goals, Bayern players Muller, Olise and Musiala stayed in the penalty area alone in several square metres. Why? (ua-football.com)
– Because they are very good – that is why. Skillful players who have a lot of qualities, move a lot, and it is not easy to defend against such performers. This is an answer to your question. You cannot wonder why such quality players are sometimes free – this is why they are top players. Although, we did everything to defend, but we defended as a team, and of course, when you face such opponents, it is logical that they will create chances. This is quite normal.
– This is the final match of the Champions League this year, so how would you rate this European Cup campaign in general? It is clear that there are still two matches ahead, but the ones you have already played. (ua.tribuna.com)
– I want to say that, in general, we played a lot of good games, showed pretty good football. We did not always get the result we deserved, especially in the previous match. But we showed ourselves, played and competed with other teams. I am satisfied with what we showed overall in this Champions League campaign. Could we get more points? Yes, we could. At the same time, I have to say that we have a very tough schedule, and playing against top teams is not so easy. I will say this: the experience that we get in such games is very good for the players. Sometimes there are certain disappointments, but also self-development. In general, I can be satisfied with this part of the tournament. One more time, considering where we come from, what kind of football life we have and what we have to go through, both as a team and as a club, I can only say: well done, boys! We must learn from our mistakes, and we will become stronger after all of that. We have two more games to play, it is not done yet, but it will be very difficult to get to the next stage, we should be realistic. But we played a lot of good matches in this campaign.