I am very happy to return to the field!
Thursday, January 9, 2025
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Shakhtar midfielder Marlon Gomes shared his impressions of the first friendly game of the winter pre-season
– Marlon, Shakhtar played the first friendly match at the training camp against Dinamo Zagreb. How do you rate your actions on the field and what can you say about this game in general?
– I am very happy to return to the field, I am happy that we are all gathered together again – to play football and to show our level. We really prepared for this match thoroughly. And I also think that this is good preparation for us to get back into the rhythm of the Champions League and the UPL.
– What are you actively working on now during training sessions at the camp?
– First of all, we pay a lot of attention to our physical conditions, because we returned after a two-week vacation, so we have to get in the best shape. And we are also working on transitioning from defence, short passing game, transitions from the defensive phase to the attacking phase.
– You mentioned physical conditions, so how do you rate your current shape?
– As I already mentioned, we are all slowly getting back in our best shape, and I think that Shakhtar, both at the coaching level and the club as a whole, does a great job in terms of getting players back to their best physical conditions. Of course, I am probably still lacking a little bit, because the break was pretty long, but I think I am already close to returning to my best physical conditions.
– You got together earlier due to the new Champions League format, therefore, the second part of the season will begin much earlier. How do the changes affect you?
– Football is a game that is constantly changing and never remains the same, and the new format of the Champions League is not an exception, but only a confirmation of this rule. I think that the new format is quite interesting. Yes, of course, it affects our usual schedule, but it does not affect my level of dedication, my desire to play for Shakhtar, to play at the highest level. This is what I have dreamed of since childhood. The Champions League is my dream since I was a kid. So I think that all we can do is be professional and continue to give one hundred percent.
– I am very happy to return to the field, I am happy that we are all gathered together again – to play football and to show our level. We really prepared for this match thoroughly. And I also think that this is good preparation for us to get back into the rhythm of the Champions League and the UPL.
– What are you actively working on now during training sessions at the camp?
– First of all, we pay a lot of attention to our physical conditions, because we returned after a two-week vacation, so we have to get in the best shape. And we are also working on transitioning from defence, short passing game, transitions from the defensive phase to the attacking phase.
– You mentioned physical conditions, so how do you rate your current shape?
– As I already mentioned, we are all slowly getting back in our best shape, and I think that Shakhtar, both at the coaching level and the club as a whole, does a great job in terms of getting players back to their best physical conditions. Of course, I am probably still lacking a little bit, because the break was pretty long, but I think I am already close to returning to my best physical conditions.
– You got together earlier due to the new Champions League format, therefore, the second part of the season will begin much earlier. How do the changes affect you?
– Football is a game that is constantly changing and never remains the same, and the new format of the Champions League is not an exception, but only a confirmation of this rule. I think that the new format is quite interesting. Yes, of course, it affects our usual schedule, but it does not affect my level of dedication, my desire to play for Shakhtar, to play at the highest level. This is what I have dreamed of since childhood. The Champions League is my dream since I was a kid. So I think that all we can do is be professional and continue to give one hundred percent.