Special showdown
Saturday, April 26, 2025
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Head coach of Shakhtar Marino Pusic spoke to the press at the team’s open training session the day before the UPL game against Dynamo
– There is information that Dynamo are the only team in Europe that have not yet lost in their league this season. Do Shakhtar have the desire and ambition to spoil this streak a little and break it?
– If I am not mistaken, we were also the team that managed to bring to Dynamo their last defeat in the Ukrainian League matches. I must note that Dynamo are really in great shape, have this incredible achievement, and I can only compliment them. We are actually looking forward to this game, it is going to be an interesting match. And, of course, as a team that always fight for the highest goals, we will aim to interrupt their great streak.
– How is Dmytro Riznyk, is he ready to play tomorrow? And are there any personnel losses before the match?
– Riznyk is in top form. You may recall his last match in the Ukrainian Cup, where he played brilliantly and kept a clean sheet. He is fully prepared for the game. We have no problems with the personnel situation and are approaching tomorrow’s match in optimal shape.
– What is the atmosphere in the dressing room right now the day before the derby? Do the Brazilians, especially the newcomers who recently joined, have this atmosphere of the Ukrainian Clasico, do they feel this tension and how important this match is for the fans?
– We all cannot wait for the showdown. Of course, the atmosphere is as competitive as possible – we are ready to fight. You asked about our Brazilian players, so they, like all of us, are waiting for this great event. Every game is important for them, just like for me and all the other team members. And I can assure you that no one has any problems with preparation or mood.
– Marino, if you try to look for positive things everywhere, can you find them in Sudakov’s injury? Because before the last home game against Oleksandriia, he also had an injury, came on as a substitute and netted a brace.
– Sudakov is a truly fantastic player, an integral part of our team. As you accurately noted, he can really come on as a substitute and completely turn the course of the game in our favour. As for his participation in tomorrow’s match, I cannot tell you yet. I think we will analyse today’s training session, see how he feels tomorrow, and right before the game you will see whether he will be in the starting line-up. I can say that Sudakov will not train with the team today, but will have an individual training session. Also, he will perform a small separate warm-up tomorrow before the game, and we will be able to decide whether he is ready to start the match or will remain on the bench directly based on its results.
– Do you have any specific tactical surprises for Dynamo that could change the course of the game?
– Many. Many surprises, but I will not tell you about them. You will be able to see everything tomorrow. Of course, the derby is a special showdown, for which we are preparing with extraordinary passion. We have analysed our opponent thoroughly, I am sure that they have also analysed us well, therefore, we have a very interesting tactical and strategic showdown ahead. And it should be emphasised that in matches like tomorrow’s one, it is not so much tactics or strategy that come first, but who outruns whom, who will be more mentally ready, and who will perform better on the field.
– If I am not mistaken, we were also the team that managed to bring to Dynamo their last defeat in the Ukrainian League matches. I must note that Dynamo are really in great shape, have this incredible achievement, and I can only compliment them. We are actually looking forward to this game, it is going to be an interesting match. And, of course, as a team that always fight for the highest goals, we will aim to interrupt their great streak.
– How is Dmytro Riznyk, is he ready to play tomorrow? And are there any personnel losses before the match?
– Riznyk is in top form. You may recall his last match in the Ukrainian Cup, where he played brilliantly and kept a clean sheet. He is fully prepared for the game. We have no problems with the personnel situation and are approaching tomorrow’s match in optimal shape.
– What is the atmosphere in the dressing room right now the day before the derby? Do the Brazilians, especially the newcomers who recently joined, have this atmosphere of the Ukrainian Clasico, do they feel this tension and how important this match is for the fans?
– We all cannot wait for the showdown. Of course, the atmosphere is as competitive as possible – we are ready to fight. You asked about our Brazilian players, so they, like all of us, are waiting for this great event. Every game is important for them, just like for me and all the other team members. And I can assure you that no one has any problems with preparation or mood.
– Marino, if you try to look for positive things everywhere, can you find them in Sudakov’s injury? Because before the last home game against Oleksandriia, he also had an injury, came on as a substitute and netted a brace.
– Sudakov is a truly fantastic player, an integral part of our team. As you accurately noted, he can really come on as a substitute and completely turn the course of the game in our favour. As for his participation in tomorrow’s match, I cannot tell you yet. I think we will analyse today’s training session, see how he feels tomorrow, and right before the game you will see whether he will be in the starting line-up. I can say that Sudakov will not train with the team today, but will have an individual training session. Also, he will perform a small separate warm-up tomorrow before the game, and we will be able to decide whether he is ready to start the match or will remain on the bench directly based on its results.
– Do you have any specific tactical surprises for Dynamo that could change the course of the game?
– Many. Many surprises, but I will not tell you about them. You will be able to see everything tomorrow. Of course, the derby is a special showdown, for which we are preparing with extraordinary passion. We have analysed our opponent thoroughly, I am sure that they have also analysed us well, therefore, we have a very interesting tactical and strategic showdown ahead. And it should be emphasised that in matches like tomorrow’s one, it is not so much tactics or strategy that come first, but who outruns whom, who will be more mentally ready, and who will perform better on the field.