We didn’t convert our chances
Monday, April 7, 2025
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Press conference of Veres head coach Oleh Shandruk after the defeat to Shakhtar (0-3)
– We expected to be able to counter Shakhtar in certain ways today, but unfortunately, we didn’t convert our chances. It is clear: when you don’t use your opportunities, Shakhtar, as a qualified team, will definitely use it, and we paid for it. After the first goal conceded, we tried to come back, which is why free zones began to appear. As a result, we got tired, and the substitutions made, unfortunately, didn’t strengthen our play, and we got this result. However, overall, I believe the game wasn’t poor, and I wouldn’t want the result to give the team the wrong impression.
– This is the third match in a row where Veres could not score. Could it be due to psychological reasons?
– Probably, although it is difficult to assess. Maybe, we should just work, I always look at it through work. Indeed, you correctly noticed: Inhulets, Polissia and… you can probably recall six or seven created chances from the last matches where we had to score. But, unfortunately, we have no goals. We continue to work, but it is pleasing that at least we have these opportunities.
– In the first half, your team looked very good, but in the second half it seemed that either you gave up or Shakhtar stepped it up. The question is how much the exhausting 120-minute match with Polissia affected you. Maybe that is why the team lacked strength?
– The first half was really good, and in my opinion, we were ahead in terms of the number of chances. Not so much in terms of goals – we need to analyse whether we could have made more of the half-chances we created. In the second half, Shakhtar started aggressively, for seven or ten minutes, but later we levelled the game, rushed into attacks. The first goal, of course, had an impact, we started to press more and play with a high defensive line, and in the end, we paid the price. I’m not satisfied with this. But in any case, the game should have been finished, and we shouldn’t have fallen apart like we did.
– Do you consider the Arena Livyi Bereh unlucky, given that you previously lost to the club of the same name here and suffered another defeat at this stadium today?
– This year – yes. In the past – no. Last year, Metalist 1925 won at this stadium and secured crucial points in the final round, when they were fighting against relegation.
– How satisfied are you with your current league position, and what spot in the table would you consider a successful outcome for the season?
– Anything above the relegation zone – that was the task. A tough battle lies ahead, and all the teams there approach every game as if it were their last. We need to earn a certain number of points to spend the end of the season calmly. But we haven’t got them yet. The current spot is good and comfortable, but the task has not yet been completed.
– This is the third match in a row where Veres could not score. Could it be due to psychological reasons?
– Probably, although it is difficult to assess. Maybe, we should just work, I always look at it through work. Indeed, you correctly noticed: Inhulets, Polissia and… you can probably recall six or seven created chances from the last matches where we had to score. But, unfortunately, we have no goals. We continue to work, but it is pleasing that at least we have these opportunities.
– In the first half, your team looked very good, but in the second half it seemed that either you gave up or Shakhtar stepped it up. The question is how much the exhausting 120-minute match with Polissia affected you. Maybe that is why the team lacked strength?
– The first half was really good, and in my opinion, we were ahead in terms of the number of chances. Not so much in terms of goals – we need to analyse whether we could have made more of the half-chances we created. In the second half, Shakhtar started aggressively, for seven or ten minutes, but later we levelled the game, rushed into attacks. The first goal, of course, had an impact, we started to press more and play with a high defensive line, and in the end, we paid the price. I’m not satisfied with this. But in any case, the game should have been finished, and we shouldn’t have fallen apart like we did.
– Do you consider the Arena Livyi Bereh unlucky, given that you previously lost to the club of the same name here and suffered another defeat at this stadium today?
– This year – yes. In the past – no. Last year, Metalist 1925 won at this stadium and secured crucial points in the final round, when they were fighting against relegation.
– How satisfied are you with your current league position, and what spot in the table would you consider a successful outcome for the season?
– Anything above the relegation zone – that was the task. A tough battle lies ahead, and all the teams there approach every game as if it were their last. We need to earn a certain number of points to spend the end of the season calmly. But we haven’t got them yet. The current spot is good and comfortable, but the task has not yet been completed.