A tough away match and a well-deserved win
Friday, October 18, 2024
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Head coach of Shakhtar Marino Pusic commented on the team’s victory over Kolos (1-0)
– Mister, Shakhtar won three points in Kovalivka today. What is your analysis of the game?
– Well, like we knew before the match that it will be a very tough away game, because it is a team with one of the best defence in the league, and it was like that. A tough first half: we tried, had a lot of possession, but did not create many moments – maybe two or three good chances. In this case, you have to be a little lucky in these moments to score, and then the space would have been much bigger, I think, but we did not manage to do that. And they also had two chances in the first half – this is a part that we did not control very well, in my opinion. We made some substitutions in the second half to bring new energy, new individual qualities on the sides. And I think we played pretty well in the second half, creating more moments. Of course, the opponent also had one or two opportunities, but not as dangerous as in the first half because we controlled the game. We tried, we scored a goal – it was an own goal thanks to a very good and fast counterattack from us. And after that we had several opportunities to score the second goal, we searched for ways to do that. And you know, when the score is 1-0 and you do not score the second goal, it can always be dangerous. So, altogether, it was a tough away match, a very important win, and I think we deserved to win.
– Today, Danylo Sikan returned to the field after a serious injury: he had a surgery, but he is finally with the team. How would you assess his return and how badly did the team miss this player?
– I am very happy that Sikan is back, because he is an important player for us. With his energy and work attitude, pressing and, of course, a large number of goals. So, he is a very important player for us, I am very happy that he is back. And I think he got into the game pretty well in the second half, there was already a chance for him in the first attack. Of course, it is not easy to play with this mask, you need to get used to it. Considering that he only had two training sessions with us, I think he did a very good job today. I am very happy that he is back.
– Right after the match, the team will go to Lviv, where they will have a training session tomorrow and from where they will leave for London for the match against Arsenal. How can such difficult logistics affect team’s preparation for this showdown?
– Speaking of logistics, it is unbelievable how much time we spend travelling, but, unfortunately, it is what it is. I can say that we got used to it – we are mentally strong and we keep on going. Now we have a very short period for recovery, maybe one or two training session to prepare for Arsenal. It is one of the best clubs in the world, I think, one of the best teams in the world. It is going to be a very interesting game, a very tough game, of course, but we go there to compete. So we will keep on playing with our away style, our style of play will not change in the match against Arsenal. We go to compete and hope we will get a result.
– Well, like we knew before the match that it will be a very tough away game, because it is a team with one of the best defence in the league, and it was like that. A tough first half: we tried, had a lot of possession, but did not create many moments – maybe two or three good chances. In this case, you have to be a little lucky in these moments to score, and then the space would have been much bigger, I think, but we did not manage to do that. And they also had two chances in the first half – this is a part that we did not control very well, in my opinion. We made some substitutions in the second half to bring new energy, new individual qualities on the sides. And I think we played pretty well in the second half, creating more moments. Of course, the opponent also had one or two opportunities, but not as dangerous as in the first half because we controlled the game. We tried, we scored a goal – it was an own goal thanks to a very good and fast counterattack from us. And after that we had several opportunities to score the second goal, we searched for ways to do that. And you know, when the score is 1-0 and you do not score the second goal, it can always be dangerous. So, altogether, it was a tough away match, a very important win, and I think we deserved to win.
– Today, Danylo Sikan returned to the field after a serious injury: he had a surgery, but he is finally with the team. How would you assess his return and how badly did the team miss this player?
– I am very happy that Sikan is back, because he is an important player for us. With his energy and work attitude, pressing and, of course, a large number of goals. So, he is a very important player for us, I am very happy that he is back. And I think he got into the game pretty well in the second half, there was already a chance for him in the first attack. Of course, it is not easy to play with this mask, you need to get used to it. Considering that he only had two training sessions with us, I think he did a very good job today. I am very happy that he is back.
– Right after the match, the team will go to Lviv, where they will have a training session tomorrow and from where they will leave for London for the match against Arsenal. How can such difficult logistics affect team’s preparation for this showdown?
– Speaking of logistics, it is unbelievable how much time we spend travelling, but, unfortunately, it is what it is. I can say that we got used to it – we are mentally strong and we keep on going. Now we have a very short period for recovery, maybe one or two training session to prepare for Arsenal. It is one of the best clubs in the world, I think, one of the best teams in the world. It is going to be a very interesting game, a very tough game, of course, but we go there to compete. So we will keep on playing with our away style, our style of play will not change in the match against Arsenal. We go to compete and hope we will get a result.