Ukraine has a very good team
Saturday, March 16, 2024
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Head coach of Shakhtar Marino Pusic assessed the test game against Karpaty, talked about the team’s plans and the expectations from the match between Bosnia and Herzegovina and Ukraine
– Mister, how do you think Shakhtar’s friendly match against Karpaty went and why did you decide to play this friendly game?
– We played this friendly match for the footballers who have not played much lately. It is important for them physically and to keep the rhythm of the game, especially for Traore, who came back after the injury and played 90 minutes for the first time. It was a tough match, like every friendly game, the score could have been around 5-5. I had two goals, the main one was to improve the physical form and playing condition of several players, and that is what we did. In the end, we played a draw. We started sloppily, immediately conceded a goal, then we seized the initiative, played a pretty good first half, created several chances. In the second half, some players struggled physically, and that is normal, so we gave a chance to the young players. Currently, we are in the first spot in the UPL, which is very important. Now we have a short break, which is also important. We will be ready for the final part of the season.
– You mentioned Traore. Can we say that he is in the best physical condition? And what features he has as a forward which you can highlight?
– Of course, Lass is a very good player who has shown it already many times. He is strong on the ball and he is a smart player, he can read the game pretty well. He has not yet reached the top of his form, because he played 90 minutes for the first time since the pre-season, so he will continue to grow. Of course, I was very happy that he scored two goals, but physically Lassina is not in the best form yet, he needs some time. It is very important for us that Lassina is a quality player who can score quality goals. One more time, I am happy that he had 90 minutes to improve his physical form and playing conditions. Actually, that was the most important thing for us in this match.
– What are the future plans of the team?
– Like I said, we will have an international break. The guys who did not leave for the national team worked on their physical form today and in the last three days during the training sessions. Now we have a couple of days of rest. On March 22-23, we will be together again and prepare for the game against Obolon. I hope everyone comes back healthy and with successful results so we can proceed with the second stage. We have a lot of matches ahead, and we will need a lot of players for that.
– The majority of Shakhtar players are currently in the camp of Ukraine national team, which will play an important match against Bosnia and Herzegovina. Will you support the Ukrainians? And what is your prediction?
– I always say that I am not a supporter, so I am not going to answer such questions. I always support my players. I do not care who they play for, I support them. That is it. I am not a supporter, so I am not going to give any comment on other matches, it is not right. If I say that I support all my players, that will be enough, I think. I hope they will all be successful in their national teams and help them. As for this match, I think Ukraine has a very good team that are for sure able to win this game. Although I have to say that this is only one match, moreover, an away one.
– We played this friendly match for the footballers who have not played much lately. It is important for them physically and to keep the rhythm of the game, especially for Traore, who came back after the injury and played 90 minutes for the first time. It was a tough match, like every friendly game, the score could have been around 5-5. I had two goals, the main one was to improve the physical form and playing condition of several players, and that is what we did. In the end, we played a draw. We started sloppily, immediately conceded a goal, then we seized the initiative, played a pretty good first half, created several chances. In the second half, some players struggled physically, and that is normal, so we gave a chance to the young players. Currently, we are in the first spot in the UPL, which is very important. Now we have a short break, which is also important. We will be ready for the final part of the season.
– You mentioned Traore. Can we say that he is in the best physical condition? And what features he has as a forward which you can highlight?
– Of course, Lass is a very good player who has shown it already many times. He is strong on the ball and he is a smart player, he can read the game pretty well. He has not yet reached the top of his form, because he played 90 minutes for the first time since the pre-season, so he will continue to grow. Of course, I was very happy that he scored two goals, but physically Lassina is not in the best form yet, he needs some time. It is very important for us that Lassina is a quality player who can score quality goals. One more time, I am happy that he had 90 minutes to improve his physical form and playing conditions. Actually, that was the most important thing for us in this match.
– What are the future plans of the team?
– Like I said, we will have an international break. The guys who did not leave for the national team worked on their physical form today and in the last three days during the training sessions. Now we have a couple of days of rest. On March 22-23, we will be together again and prepare for the game against Obolon. I hope everyone comes back healthy and with successful results so we can proceed with the second stage. We have a lot of matches ahead, and we will need a lot of players for that.
– The majority of Shakhtar players are currently in the camp of Ukraine national team, which will play an important match against Bosnia and Herzegovina. Will you support the Ukrainians? And what is your prediction?
– I always say that I am not a supporter, so I am not going to answer such questions. I always support my players. I do not care who they play for, I support them. That is it. I am not a supporter, so I am not going to give any comment on other matches, it is not right. If I say that I support all my players, that will be enough, I think. I hope they will all be successful in their national teams and help them. As for this match, I think Ukraine has a very good team that are for sure able to win this game. Although I have to say that this is only one match, moreover, an away one.