Great team effort and important win
Saturday, March 30, 2024
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Press conference of head coach of Shakhtar Marino Pusic after the match against Obolon (3-0)
– Taras Stepanenko appeared on the field today. Tell us, what is his current physical condition and do you count on him at the final stage of the season?
– First of all, I am happy he is back, because he had a very long period of injury from the pre-season, since we were in Turkey. Of course, he is a player with character and a lot of experience, always works hard, a real professional. And, like I said now in the dressing room, Stepanenko is a real captain. Whether he is starting or not, Taras is always there for the team, that is very important. I am happy he is back on the field.
– Mister, what can you say about the match?
– From the beginning, we played very well, were focused and disciplined, which is very important, because it is not easy after the international break. A lot of our players participated in many games of the national teams: for example, Matviienko, Sudakov and Konoplia played for Ukraine national team in all matches and put a lot of effort into it. Then you come back a little tired, of course, but they showed a very high level of professionalism and quality, so I am very happy. But I have to compliment my team, because everyone was very professional today, we played all situations like we should. I will share with you what I told the players in the dressing room: great team effort, important win, and we move on to the next match. And I said something about Stepanenko. And I am very happy that Marlon Gomes came on. He is a new guy, a young multifunctional player, and it is always nice for such a young footballer to experience a new competition, a new game, so we congratulated him on this game. I am very curious to see his qualities at the next stage. And, of course, Marian Shved. He also had an injury for a long period, then he came back but did not play, but he kept fighting, had a very good pre-season, and when he had a chance, he took it because he trained well, and that is why he was able to play 90 minutes and make a difference today. So I am very happy for him and for his contribution to this game and to our team. We have a good victory. Tomorrow we will recuperate, and the day after tomorrow we will switch our mind to the next game.
– First of all, I am happy he is back, because he had a very long period of injury from the pre-season, since we were in Turkey. Of course, he is a player with character and a lot of experience, always works hard, a real professional. And, like I said now in the dressing room, Stepanenko is a real captain. Whether he is starting or not, Taras is always there for the team, that is very important. I am happy he is back on the field.
– Mister, what can you say about the match?
– From the beginning, we played very well, were focused and disciplined, which is very important, because it is not easy after the international break. A lot of our players participated in many games of the national teams: for example, Matviienko, Sudakov and Konoplia played for Ukraine national team in all matches and put a lot of effort into it. Then you come back a little tired, of course, but they showed a very high level of professionalism and quality, so I am very happy. But I have to compliment my team, because everyone was very professional today, we played all situations like we should. I will share with you what I told the players in the dressing room: great team effort, important win, and we move on to the next match. And I said something about Stepanenko. And I am very happy that Marlon Gomes came on. He is a new guy, a young multifunctional player, and it is always nice for such a young footballer to experience a new competition, a new game, so we congratulated him on this game. I am very curious to see his qualities at the next stage. And, of course, Marian Shved. He also had an injury for a long period, then he came back but did not play, but he kept fighting, had a very good pre-season, and when he had a chance, he took it because he trained well, and that is why he was able to play 90 minutes and make a difference today. So I am very happy for him and for his contribution to this game and to our team. We have a good victory. Tomorrow we will recuperate, and the day after tomorrow we will switch our mind to the next game.