We have great potential
Saturday, July 5, 2025
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Shakhtar midfielder Eguinaldo reflects on the friendly game against Gorica, the training process and goals for the new season
– Eguinaldo, congratulations on the win. The team played their first summer friendly in Slovenia after two weeks of training. What was the match like for the team and who do you think dictated the course of the game?
– It was an important win for us in terms of effort and preparation for the season. Of course, it’s nice to score. I think the team showed some good patterns of play and now we will keep preparing for the Europa League qualifiers.
– It was your goal that secured the win for the team. Can you recall that moment and Azevedo’s assist in more detail?
– Pedrinho Azevedo is a player with excellent qualities, especially pace and crossing ability. We had talked beforehand about making the most of his strengths, and I had a feeling I could finish one of his deliveries. That’s exactly how it played out: he crossed, I picked the right spot in the box and reacted in time to finish it off. That’s how the goal happened.
– Analysing the game, what do you think still needs work and improvement before the competitive matches?
– I believe we are working well and have already absorbed a lot of what the coaching staff is giving us, which overall shapes our style of play. We also dedicate a lot of attention to set pieces and refining our combination play during training. Probably, moving forward, we need to place more emphasis on the speed of decision-making in the final third and on the quality of our passing. As for finishing, I believe we have great potential. The team are genuinely happy with the training process and the direction the head coach is taking us in.
– We haven’t spoken in an interview format during this camp yet, but what are your ambitions and goals for the new season?
– Of course, I’m focused both on personal and team achievements. I hope to score plenty of goals and provide many assists. At the same time, team victories come first for me. I believe that we will win the league title, retain the Cup and go as far as possible in European competitions.
– It was an important win for us in terms of effort and preparation for the season. Of course, it’s nice to score. I think the team showed some good patterns of play and now we will keep preparing for the Europa League qualifiers.
– It was your goal that secured the win for the team. Can you recall that moment and Azevedo’s assist in more detail?
– Pedrinho Azevedo is a player with excellent qualities, especially pace and crossing ability. We had talked beforehand about making the most of his strengths, and I had a feeling I could finish one of his deliveries. That’s exactly how it played out: he crossed, I picked the right spot in the box and reacted in time to finish it off. That’s how the goal happened.
– Analysing the game, what do you think still needs work and improvement before the competitive matches?
– I believe we are working well and have already absorbed a lot of what the coaching staff is giving us, which overall shapes our style of play. We also dedicate a lot of attention to set pieces and refining our combination play during training. Probably, moving forward, we need to place more emphasis on the speed of decision-making in the final third and on the quality of our passing. As for finishing, I believe we have great potential. The team are genuinely happy with the training process and the direction the head coach is taking us in.
– We haven’t spoken in an interview format during this camp yet, but what are your ambitions and goals for the new season?
– Of course, I’m focused both on personal and team achievements. I hope to score plenty of goals and provide many assists. At the same time, team victories come first for me. I believe that we will win the league title, retain the Cup and go as far as possible in European competitions.