We are strong mentally and physically
Tuesday, November 5, 2024
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Press conference of head coach of Shakhtar Marino Pusic before the match against Young Boys
– The game against Young Boys is very important, therefore, in case there is no win, will it mean that Shakhtar almost lose their chances to advance to the next stage? (Football 24)
– Every game is important. And, of course, we want to win this match, because then we will increase our chances of achieving the main goal. Everything is possible in the new format of the Champions League. Like I said before, the match against Young Boys is a game against a very good team. And both clubs need points, so it will be an interesting confrontation.
– Mister, how do you assess the team’s morale and physical condition before this match? And are all the key players ready for so-called battle? (Shakhtar TV)
– We are in strong physical and mental condition. I am not worried about that. We played well in the last matches, and the team are in good enough shape to fight with Young Boys. And, of course, we have squad rotation: almost all footballers appeared on the field in the last two or three matches and showed a pretty good game. So we are in good physical condition and are strong mentally, which allows us to feel good before this battle.
– How can you describe Young Boys? What are their strengths and weaknesses? (Shakhtar TV)
– First of all, they are regular participants of the Champions League and Europa League, the team that play many matches at this level. If we talk about the club in general, of course they got into the Champions League for a reason. They play vertical football, they are very fast football players, a well-organised team that put a lot of pressure on the opponent. Let’s see who will win in this regard. We will also play in a certain style. So, like I said, this is a very good opponent, and it will be an interesting game.
– Young Boys is the first opponent of Shakhtar in this year’s Champions League not coming from the top league. Is there any extra pressure on you because of the result the management expects? (ua.tribuna.com)
– Results in other competitions do not tell me anything, because the Champions League is a tournament which is completely different from others. This is different motivation for the players. Young Boys changed the coach three weeks ago, they played three matches with the new head coach. The team really got into the Champions League not by accident – they have a lot of quality moments, they are very tough to beat. And although the opponent did not start this tournament very well, this does not mean anything. They are strong rivals, and we should do our best to get a positive result.
– Shakhtar have not scored yet in the Champions League matches, although they created enough moments in the last game. What should you do to start scoring and getting results? (ua.tribuna.com)
– The answer is very simple: we have to create a lot of moments near the opponent’s gate to score one or two goals, and this will change the situation. This is pretty easy to say, but much harder to do. For me as a coach, it is very important that we create many opportunities and show good football – this is what will make me happy. And, of course, conversion must be at a high level if you want to go further in the tournament. But this is much more difficult to achieve at the top level of competitions, the Champions League level. Of course, we will try to create as many moments as possible, for example, like it was in the match against Arsenal where we had good chances. However, it can also be difficult to score a goal. In my opinion, it will be very important to score in this match in order to lessen the pressure that the players feel. Let me say this: if we convert more than 50 percent of our chances, it will be great, and then we will definitely win.
– After the match against Chornomorets you said that you can play without a striker. Will we see some interesting decision that will surprise us tomorrow? (ua.tribuna.com)
– Maybe I was just kidding. It is up to you to decide what I meant. You will see everything tomorrow.
– Every game is important. And, of course, we want to win this match, because then we will increase our chances of achieving the main goal. Everything is possible in the new format of the Champions League. Like I said before, the match against Young Boys is a game against a very good team. And both clubs need points, so it will be an interesting confrontation.
– Mister, how do you assess the team’s morale and physical condition before this match? And are all the key players ready for so-called battle? (Shakhtar TV)
– We are in strong physical and mental condition. I am not worried about that. We played well in the last matches, and the team are in good enough shape to fight with Young Boys. And, of course, we have squad rotation: almost all footballers appeared on the field in the last two or three matches and showed a pretty good game. So we are in good physical condition and are strong mentally, which allows us to feel good before this battle.
– How can you describe Young Boys? What are their strengths and weaknesses? (Shakhtar TV)
– First of all, they are regular participants of the Champions League and Europa League, the team that play many matches at this level. If we talk about the club in general, of course they got into the Champions League for a reason. They play vertical football, they are very fast football players, a well-organised team that put a lot of pressure on the opponent. Let’s see who will win in this regard. We will also play in a certain style. So, like I said, this is a very good opponent, and it will be an interesting game.
– Young Boys is the first opponent of Shakhtar in this year’s Champions League not coming from the top league. Is there any extra pressure on you because of the result the management expects? (ua.tribuna.com)
– Results in other competitions do not tell me anything, because the Champions League is a tournament which is completely different from others. This is different motivation for the players. Young Boys changed the coach three weeks ago, they played three matches with the new head coach. The team really got into the Champions League not by accident – they have a lot of quality moments, they are very tough to beat. And although the opponent did not start this tournament very well, this does not mean anything. They are strong rivals, and we should do our best to get a positive result.
– Shakhtar have not scored yet in the Champions League matches, although they created enough moments in the last game. What should you do to start scoring and getting results? (ua.tribuna.com)
– The answer is very simple: we have to create a lot of moments near the opponent’s gate to score one or two goals, and this will change the situation. This is pretty easy to say, but much harder to do. For me as a coach, it is very important that we create many opportunities and show good football – this is what will make me happy. And, of course, conversion must be at a high level if you want to go further in the tournament. But this is much more difficult to achieve at the top level of competitions, the Champions League level. Of course, we will try to create as many moments as possible, for example, like it was in the match against Arsenal where we had good chances. However, it can also be difficult to score a goal. In my opinion, it will be very important to score in this match in order to lessen the pressure that the players feel. Let me say this: if we convert more than 50 percent of our chances, it will be great, and then we will definitely win.
– After the match against Chornomorets you said that you can play without a striker. Will we see some interesting decision that will surprise us tomorrow? (ua.tribuna.com)
– Maybe I was just kidding. It is up to you to decide what I meant. You will see everything tomorrow.