We have to show our best game to succeed
Tuesday, October 1, 2024
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Shakhtar midfielder Heorhii Sudakov took part in the press conference before the match against Atalanta
– Atalanta are known for their aggressive style, one-on-one play and high pressing. How do you plan to fight against this opponent and what should Shakhtar focus on to control the game? (Shakhtar TV)
– We understand that Atalanta are a very strong opponent. The team won the Europa League and are one of the strongest in Europe today with a very specific style of play – they play one on one across the field, demonstrate aggression, energy and clear tactical organisation. However, we also understand that we have to show our best game to succeed. This applies to both tactical structure and physical fitness. First of all, we must show our individual qualities, since every duel will be decisive. When facing such opponents, we need to give our all both with and without the ball, win the whole fight. Our game will be built on that.
– Heorhii, what conclusions did you draw after the match against Bologna, considering that your next opponent in the Champions League is also an Italian team? (Tribuna.com)
– Bologna and Atalanta are somewhat similar. Probably, first of all, we need to rely on our game and act a little more aggressively with the ball. We tried to play our football against Bologna too, some things turned out well, some things did not. We cannot say that it was our best game. The expectations from us are, of course, higher, and we also expect more from ourselves. I hope that we will be able to prove ourselves and demonstrate our level in the match against Atalanta.
– You will play at Arena AufSchalke. Do you like this stadium and do you feel home atmosphere? (ARD Radio)
– Thank you for welcoming us and giving the opportunity to play matches. Last year we played in Hamburg, the atmosphere was incredible, and we understand that there are a lot of refugees and Ukrainian support in Germany. Of course, it is impossible to compare it with games at the Donbas Arena, especially since I did not play there, and generally it cannot be compared with the atmosphere in Ukraine. However, looking at what we have at the moment, we have incredible conditions among the possible options, and I can only thank Schalke, the city and the stadium for the opportunity to play here.
– Currently, some fans criticise Shakhtar and the players due to team’s performance and results. How do you deal with this pressure? (UA-Football.com)
– During every theory session and after the game, the most important authority for us is the coach and his staff who we must listen to. Of course, we understand that our fans expect better results from us, but I cannot say that we play badly. Maybe we just have such a period now, we are a little unlucky. But we work a lot, and I believe that this luck can come thanks to hard work. I hope we will be able to make our fans happy in the near future.
– The other day, Atalanta played against Bologna, this match also ended in a draw, although Atalanta dominated statistically. Considering that you recently played against Bologna and know this team well, how do you plan to resist a powerful attack of Atalanta? (Tribuna.com)
– I watched the first half, and to be honest, I liked Bologna more. I can say that they are somewhat similar opponents in terms of skills and level of play. Atalanta probably surpass Bologna with aggressiveness with the ball and speed, besides, they are already famous opponents in general. However, everything will depend only on us, on how we will show ourselves in duels and tactically.
– We understand that Atalanta are a very strong opponent. The team won the Europa League and are one of the strongest in Europe today with a very specific style of play – they play one on one across the field, demonstrate aggression, energy and clear tactical organisation. However, we also understand that we have to show our best game to succeed. This applies to both tactical structure and physical fitness. First of all, we must show our individual qualities, since every duel will be decisive. When facing such opponents, we need to give our all both with and without the ball, win the whole fight. Our game will be built on that.
– Heorhii, what conclusions did you draw after the match against Bologna, considering that your next opponent in the Champions League is also an Italian team? (Tribuna.com)
– Bologna and Atalanta are somewhat similar. Probably, first of all, we need to rely on our game and act a little more aggressively with the ball. We tried to play our football against Bologna too, some things turned out well, some things did not. We cannot say that it was our best game. The expectations from us are, of course, higher, and we also expect more from ourselves. I hope that we will be able to prove ourselves and demonstrate our level in the match against Atalanta.
– You will play at Arena AufSchalke. Do you like this stadium and do you feel home atmosphere? (ARD Radio)
– Thank you for welcoming us and giving the opportunity to play matches. Last year we played in Hamburg, the atmosphere was incredible, and we understand that there are a lot of refugees and Ukrainian support in Germany. Of course, it is impossible to compare it with games at the Donbas Arena, especially since I did not play there, and generally it cannot be compared with the atmosphere in Ukraine. However, looking at what we have at the moment, we have incredible conditions among the possible options, and I can only thank Schalke, the city and the stadium for the opportunity to play here.
– Currently, some fans criticise Shakhtar and the players due to team’s performance and results. How do you deal with this pressure? (UA-Football.com)
– During every theory session and after the game, the most important authority for us is the coach and his staff who we must listen to. Of course, we understand that our fans expect better results from us, but I cannot say that we play badly. Maybe we just have such a period now, we are a little unlucky. But we work a lot, and I believe that this luck can come thanks to hard work. I hope we will be able to make our fans happy in the near future.
– The other day, Atalanta played against Bologna, this match also ended in a draw, although Atalanta dominated statistically. Considering that you recently played against Bologna and know this team well, how do you plan to resist a powerful attack of Atalanta? (Tribuna.com)
– I watched the first half, and to be honest, I liked Bologna more. I can say that they are somewhat similar opponents in terms of skills and level of play. Atalanta probably surpass Bologna with aggressiveness with the ball and speed, besides, they are already famous opponents in general. However, everything will depend only on us, on how we will show ourselves in duels and tactically.