We don’t convert the chances we create
Friday, December 19, 2025
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Shakhtar captain Mykola Matviienko spoke to MEGOGO about the draw with Rijeka and assessed the team’s performance in the first part of the season
– Mykola, congratulations on a positive result. You completed your task and made it into the top eight, but what went wrong against Rijeka and why weren’t you able to win?
– Our problem in recent matches is that we don’t convert the chances we create. I can’t say there were many against Rijeka, but we still have to make the most of what we have. For example, when we reach the penalty area, where we should shoot or cross, we don’t do it; instead, we turn and pass the ball back.
– Please summarise the first half of the season for Shakhtar, both in the UPL and in European competitions. How successful has it been?
– If we look purely at the results, I can only give it a positive mark. Regarding our play, as I’ve already said, we need to work on our issues in both defence and attack. There will be time to work with the team during the training camps – a month or more to prepare, and I believe we’ll be able to address the gaps.
– Our problem in recent matches is that we don’t convert the chances we create. I can’t say there were many against Rijeka, but we still have to make the most of what we have. For example, when we reach the penalty area, where we should shoot or cross, we don’t do it; instead, we turn and pass the ball back.
– Please summarise the first half of the season for Shakhtar, both in the UPL and in European competitions. How successful has it been?
– If we look purely at the results, I can only give it a positive mark. Regarding our play, as I’ve already said, we need to work on our issues in both defence and attack. There will be time to work with the team during the training camps – a month or more to prepare, and I believe we’ll be able to address the gaps.