It will be a battle of tactics
Tuesday, October 1, 2024
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Head coach of Shakhtar Marino Pusic answered the journalists' questions before the Champions League game against Atalanta
– Mister, Shakhtar will have the first home match at the new home arena tomorrow, but the team will face an Italian opponent for the second time in a row. What do you think is the specifics of Italian teams, especially Atalanta? (Shakhtar TV)
– They are the winners of the UEFA Europa League, this is a very strong team – one of the best in Europe according to the indicators of the previous season, and they demonstrate it in the European arena, at the Champions League level. Of course, they have a specific way of playing – they press very strongly in certain areas of the field. We all know how the opponents put pressure on their rivals, make them do their best. We know their strong qualities, but we also know their weaknesses. I can say that it will be a very serious game. Every game against Atalanta is difficult. But we are here to play such matches against such opponents. This game will demand many things from us, but we are ready to give a lot to perform well in this tournament. I think tomorrow’s match will be interesting.
– How do you like the new Champions League home of Shakhtar? Do you perhaps have some memories related to this arena? (Terrikon.com)
– First of all, it is a beautiful stadium. It is the arena of the club that has great traditions. And, actually, they are also miners, just like us, so it is very nice to be here. I am sure they will support us as their home team. I hope that the local fans will create home atmosphere for us, the feeling of the home arena – like we are playing at our own stadium. Of course, it sounds pretty crazy, because it is clear that we are the only team in the world at this level that never play home matches at home. Every game for us is held away. But I want to tell people in Germany, in Gelsenkirchen, Schalke fans who will come to support us and will give us a certain boost again: we will be extremely grateful if we are welcomed as a home team.
– What did you learn from the last match against Bologna in terms of the Italian style of play? (La Gazzetta dello Sport)
– Of course, Italian teams do not play the same way, but have different styles. Atalanta play their specific football. Bologna have a somewhat similar style, but they have a slightly different formation on the field. Generally speaking, it is, of course, pressing across the field, very physically strong teams. If we talk about the conclusions from the match against Bologna, we approached the game pretty well: we played away and got a draw, they had moments, but we also had moments. I think we played well there. Of course, we made certain conclusions after that game, but we understand that Atalanta will demonstrate a slightly different football. We will be required to put in a lot of effort in different aspects of the game. They know us, we know them, so it will be quite interesting. They know that we will try to build our game from deep, I know that they will press high. It will be a battle of tactics. They are not such opponents against whom we play in the UPL: we play most of the matches against slightly different teams, so somewhat different qualities are required of us there. But it will be a great experience for us, and we will also consider our experience from the match against Bologna.
– Mister, the next question is generated by artificial intelligence: considering the dynamic attacking style of Atalanta and the powerful performance in Serie A, how do you plan to balance the stability of defence with attacking ambitions of Shakhtar in order to ensure a positive result in this important match of the Champions League? (Shakhtar TV)
– It is a good question, by the way. As I already said, we know their strengths and weaknesses, and it is a very specific team that are hard to play against. Massive efforts will be required of us, surely, we need to fully focus on every detail. During such matches, it is very important to keep a balance between attack and defence and constantly be focused in every episode – for the full 95 minutes and maybe even more. We need a lot of discipline, a lot of balance. We certainly should not lose our identity. And this is what we are going to show tomorrow.
– Why is it so important for your team to keep representing Ukraine and the club in Europe, even though the Russians attack your country? How often is the topic of war discussed in your team? (ARD Radio)
– First of all, this issue is always discussed, because the situation is as it is, and it is not good. We think about the war every day, even when we are not at home, and it is very difficult. But we are still athletes, so we will try to enjoy the game and try to give incredible emotions to the people who watch our matches in Ukraine, especially to children who are fans. You know that it is very difficult now. But there is a game that is always there, that can help people get good emotions and make all Ukrainian fans feel better. So we will try to do it tomorrow – for our fans, for our club, for our country. And we will try to present ourselves as well as possible in Europe – it is important not only for the club, but for the whole country. And even under such difficult circumstances in which we work, we try to show our skills.
– They are the winners of the UEFA Europa League, this is a very strong team – one of the best in Europe according to the indicators of the previous season, and they demonstrate it in the European arena, at the Champions League level. Of course, they have a specific way of playing – they press very strongly in certain areas of the field. We all know how the opponents put pressure on their rivals, make them do their best. We know their strong qualities, but we also know their weaknesses. I can say that it will be a very serious game. Every game against Atalanta is difficult. But we are here to play such matches against such opponents. This game will demand many things from us, but we are ready to give a lot to perform well in this tournament. I think tomorrow’s match will be interesting.
– How do you like the new Champions League home of Shakhtar? Do you perhaps have some memories related to this arena? (Terrikon.com)
– First of all, it is a beautiful stadium. It is the arena of the club that has great traditions. And, actually, they are also miners, just like us, so it is very nice to be here. I am sure they will support us as their home team. I hope that the local fans will create home atmosphere for us, the feeling of the home arena – like we are playing at our own stadium. Of course, it sounds pretty crazy, because it is clear that we are the only team in the world at this level that never play home matches at home. Every game for us is held away. But I want to tell people in Germany, in Gelsenkirchen, Schalke fans who will come to support us and will give us a certain boost again: we will be extremely grateful if we are welcomed as a home team.
– What did you learn from the last match against Bologna in terms of the Italian style of play? (La Gazzetta dello Sport)
– Of course, Italian teams do not play the same way, but have different styles. Atalanta play their specific football. Bologna have a somewhat similar style, but they have a slightly different formation on the field. Generally speaking, it is, of course, pressing across the field, very physically strong teams. If we talk about the conclusions from the match against Bologna, we approached the game pretty well: we played away and got a draw, they had moments, but we also had moments. I think we played well there. Of course, we made certain conclusions after that game, but we understand that Atalanta will demonstrate a slightly different football. We will be required to put in a lot of effort in different aspects of the game. They know us, we know them, so it will be quite interesting. They know that we will try to build our game from deep, I know that they will press high. It will be a battle of tactics. They are not such opponents against whom we play in the UPL: we play most of the matches against slightly different teams, so somewhat different qualities are required of us there. But it will be a great experience for us, and we will also consider our experience from the match against Bologna.
– Mister, the next question is generated by artificial intelligence: considering the dynamic attacking style of Atalanta and the powerful performance in Serie A, how do you plan to balance the stability of defence with attacking ambitions of Shakhtar in order to ensure a positive result in this important match of the Champions League? (Shakhtar TV)
– It is a good question, by the way. As I already said, we know their strengths and weaknesses, and it is a very specific team that are hard to play against. Massive efforts will be required of us, surely, we need to fully focus on every detail. During such matches, it is very important to keep a balance between attack and defence and constantly be focused in every episode – for the full 95 minutes and maybe even more. We need a lot of discipline, a lot of balance. We certainly should not lose our identity. And this is what we are going to show tomorrow.
– Why is it so important for your team to keep representing Ukraine and the club in Europe, even though the Russians attack your country? How often is the topic of war discussed in your team? (ARD Radio)
– First of all, this issue is always discussed, because the situation is as it is, and it is not good. We think about the war every day, even when we are not at home, and it is very difficult. But we are still athletes, so we will try to enjoy the game and try to give incredible emotions to the people who watch our matches in Ukraine, especially to children who are fans. You know that it is very difficult now. But there is a game that is always there, that can help people get good emotions and make all Ukrainian fans feel better. So we will try to do it tomorrow – for our fans, for our club, for our country. And we will try to present ourselves as well as possible in Europe – it is important not only for the club, but for the whole country. And even under such difficult circumstances in which we work, we try to show our skills.