Our goal is to climb the table
Thursday, May 22, 2025
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Shakhtar women’s team head coach Roman Zaiev sums up the 2024/25 season, as well as reflects on the team’s progress and the competitiveness level of the league
– Shakhtar women’s team finished 5th in the 2024/25 Vyshcha League. How would you assess the result?
– If you compare it with last season’s standing, it might seem like nothing has changed. However, a deeper analysis of the factors that influenced both our level of play and the final outcome reveals a number of important aspects. For instance, the squad changed by almost 40%, many new players joined us. Secondly, there’s the matter of strategic development. We conditionally divided the season into two phases: the first was advancing a top-six, which we successfully achieved, and the second was focusing on progressing both in terms of our organisation and building of play, as well as individual development. I believe that the fifth spot we got this season carries far more weight compared to the previous year
– The squad underwent significant changes ahead of the season. Are you satisfied with how the new footballers integrated into the team’s playing structure?
– Once again, we ask ourselves the question: how strong was this season’s reinforcement compared to last year’s? Of course, the players who left were leaders and regular starters, and they delivered results. In contrast, we brought in younger footballers with a view to strategic development – I hope they will eventually grow into the team’s new leaders.
– The league was split into groups for the second time. How effective do you find this format and how do the matches in the top group impact the team’s progress?
– Naturally, the Ukrainian Association of Football is exploring ways to raise the competitiveness of the championship. Perhaps that’s the reason behind this structure, it aims to increase competition among the current teams. In my opinion, it would make more sense if these top-six groups based on the results of the autumn part of the season started the spring phase either with the points earned in matches against each other or from scratch. Everyone should be on equal footing. The winter pre-season period, with the transfer window open, allows many teams to significantly change their squads, which has a major impact on the final standings in the spring. That’s why it would be logical to level these terms as much as possible.
– How has the level of competition changed compared to previous seasons? Do you feel that competitiveness has increased?
– It’s difficult to give a straightforward answer, as the league has seen both positive and negative moments. Firstly, teams like Veres, Dynamo and Dnipro have disappeared, while three new sides – Obolon, Seasters and Polissia – joined the Vyshcha League, each following their own unique path. For instance, Polissia formed their squad mostly from players who had previously played for Veres, Dynamo and other clubs. Obolon played largely with their own performers. Seasters, on the other hand, took a completely different approach – they relied heavily on foreign players, hoping they would bring results in time. Looking at the final standings, one can assess how competitive the league has become. It’s hard to say whether the overall quality of play has improved, but the teams contending for European spots – Metalist 1925, Vorskla and Kolos – did stand out to some extent. At the same time, the general standard of the teams has clearly risen, which is undoubtedly a positive trend.
– Are there any footballers who have made the most progress this season and perhaps emerged as team leaders?
– Leaders are those players who are able to take responsibility in challenging tournaments or game conditions and show the qualities needed to achieve results. This includes both individual actions and contribution to the team’s success. For example, the league’s top scorer this season came from Polissia, and she can certainly be seen as a leader within her club. As for our own footballers, of course I would like every one of them to feel both the responsibility and the pressure. Those who have understood the expectations of our club and approached training process and matches with full commitment have definitely taken a step forward and improved their level.
– Which positions need strengthening to achieve your goals next season?
– At present, we are working with the resources we have. Like any team, our goal is to climb the table and fight for a place in European competition next season. We, like most clubs at the national level, face certain limitations in terms of availability of domestic players, so we will continue to work with the resources we have. At the same time, if there are players who can genuinely strengthen our play regardless of position, we will certainly consider them.
– Which match or moment stood out most to you this season, and why?
– Every match is important, we prepare thoroughly and analyse each one. Every defeat offers a chance to reflect, identify weaknesses and look for new approaches. On the other hand, victories reinforce your confidence in the work you do and the way you build the team. It’s difficult to say whether one particular game stood out or was more significance than others.
– What were the team’s biggest challenges this season?
– Every game is a challenge and a test for any team, so we prepare and will continue to prepare for new challenges regardless of who we face. Next season will be another test that we aim to overcome in order to improve our results.
– What can you say about future plans?
– The team are wrapping up the season and will go on holiday from June 1. In July, we’ll resume training process and begin preparations for the new season.
– If you compare it with last season’s standing, it might seem like nothing has changed. However, a deeper analysis of the factors that influenced both our level of play and the final outcome reveals a number of important aspects. For instance, the squad changed by almost 40%, many new players joined us. Secondly, there’s the matter of strategic development. We conditionally divided the season into two phases: the first was advancing a top-six, which we successfully achieved, and the second was focusing on progressing both in terms of our organisation and building of play, as well as individual development. I believe that the fifth spot we got this season carries far more weight compared to the previous year
– The squad underwent significant changes ahead of the season. Are you satisfied with how the new footballers integrated into the team’s playing structure?
– Once again, we ask ourselves the question: how strong was this season’s reinforcement compared to last year’s? Of course, the players who left were leaders and regular starters, and they delivered results. In contrast, we brought in younger footballers with a view to strategic development – I hope they will eventually grow into the team’s new leaders.
– The league was split into groups for the second time. How effective do you find this format and how do the matches in the top group impact the team’s progress?
– Naturally, the Ukrainian Association of Football is exploring ways to raise the competitiveness of the championship. Perhaps that’s the reason behind this structure, it aims to increase competition among the current teams. In my opinion, it would make more sense if these top-six groups based on the results of the autumn part of the season started the spring phase either with the points earned in matches against each other or from scratch. Everyone should be on equal footing. The winter pre-season period, with the transfer window open, allows many teams to significantly change their squads, which has a major impact on the final standings in the spring. That’s why it would be logical to level these terms as much as possible.
– How has the level of competition changed compared to previous seasons? Do you feel that competitiveness has increased?
– It’s difficult to give a straightforward answer, as the league has seen both positive and negative moments. Firstly, teams like Veres, Dynamo and Dnipro have disappeared, while three new sides – Obolon, Seasters and Polissia – joined the Vyshcha League, each following their own unique path. For instance, Polissia formed their squad mostly from players who had previously played for Veres, Dynamo and other clubs. Obolon played largely with their own performers. Seasters, on the other hand, took a completely different approach – they relied heavily on foreign players, hoping they would bring results in time. Looking at the final standings, one can assess how competitive the league has become. It’s hard to say whether the overall quality of play has improved, but the teams contending for European spots – Metalist 1925, Vorskla and Kolos – did stand out to some extent. At the same time, the general standard of the teams has clearly risen, which is undoubtedly a positive trend.
– Are there any footballers who have made the most progress this season and perhaps emerged as team leaders?
– Leaders are those players who are able to take responsibility in challenging tournaments or game conditions and show the qualities needed to achieve results. This includes both individual actions and contribution to the team’s success. For example, the league’s top scorer this season came from Polissia, and she can certainly be seen as a leader within her club. As for our own footballers, of course I would like every one of them to feel both the responsibility and the pressure. Those who have understood the expectations of our club and approached training process and matches with full commitment have definitely taken a step forward and improved their level.
– Which positions need strengthening to achieve your goals next season?
– At present, we are working with the resources we have. Like any team, our goal is to climb the table and fight for a place in European competition next season. We, like most clubs at the national level, face certain limitations in terms of availability of domestic players, so we will continue to work with the resources we have. At the same time, if there are players who can genuinely strengthen our play regardless of position, we will certainly consider them.
– Which match or moment stood out most to you this season, and why?
– Every match is important, we prepare thoroughly and analyse each one. Every defeat offers a chance to reflect, identify weaknesses and look for new approaches. On the other hand, victories reinforce your confidence in the work you do and the way you build the team. It’s difficult to say whether one particular game stood out or was more significance than others.
– What were the team’s biggest challenges this season?
– Every game is a challenge and a test for any team, so we prepare and will continue to prepare for new challenges regardless of who we face. Next season will be another test that we aim to overcome in order to improve our results.
– What can you say about future plans?
– The team are wrapping up the season and will go on holiday from June 1. In July, we’ll resume training process and begin preparations for the new season.