We could have scored more
Saturday, November 22, 2025
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Shakhtar defender Valerii Bondar shared his impressions of the win over Obolon on UPL.TV (6-0)
– Valerii, your goal in the match against a team that fought hard against Shakhtar in the first 45 minutes was very important. What emotions do you feel after the goal and after the match overall? How much did the opponents deserve such a defeat?
– In the first half, they defended very well, worked hard at the back, played a 5-3-2 formation and it was very difficult for us to break them down. As for emotions, you saw my reaction after the goal. It was important for me because, first, I wanted to score and help the team, and second, scoring in the 45th minute made the game psychologically easier, since we understood that the opponents could not sit in defence the entire time and would start opening up more. We went into the second half with maximum motivation and energy to show what we are capable of. I think it all worked out: we did almost everything that was asked of us and could have scored more.
– A fast start to the second half with the second and third goals, which effectively decided the outcome of the match. Was this the result of following the coach’s instructions at halftime?
– I think the game naturally unfolded that way, and of course, the coach always gives instructions that we try to follow. He emphasised that we shouldn’t ease off and should keep pressing the opponents, especially when they start an attack, and to quickly regain the ball after losing it and organise our counter. After the second and third goals, it was already difficult for the opponents to do anything and we carried out everything that was asked of us. The team were energetic on the pitch and played with strong aggression.
– The match in Kovalivka ended in a defeat for Dynamo, your closest rivals. Were you aware of this result?
– To be honest, I didn’t know, I just found out now. But we try not to focus on the results of our opponents, as we concentrate on our own play. We need to focus on ourselves and keep moving forward. Every match against any opponents gives the same three points, so it was important to win, especially since Dynamo dropped points.
– In the first half, they defended very well, worked hard at the back, played a 5-3-2 formation and it was very difficult for us to break them down. As for emotions, you saw my reaction after the goal. It was important for me because, first, I wanted to score and help the team, and second, scoring in the 45th minute made the game psychologically easier, since we understood that the opponents could not sit in defence the entire time and would start opening up more. We went into the second half with maximum motivation and energy to show what we are capable of. I think it all worked out: we did almost everything that was asked of us and could have scored more.
– A fast start to the second half with the second and third goals, which effectively decided the outcome of the match. Was this the result of following the coach’s instructions at halftime?
– I think the game naturally unfolded that way, and of course, the coach always gives instructions that we try to follow. He emphasised that we shouldn’t ease off and should keep pressing the opponents, especially when they start an attack, and to quickly regain the ball after losing it and organise our counter. After the second and third goals, it was already difficult for the opponents to do anything and we carried out everything that was asked of us. The team were energetic on the pitch and played with strong aggression.
– The match in Kovalivka ended in a defeat for Dynamo, your closest rivals. Were you aware of this result?
– To be honest, I didn’t know, I just found out now. But we try not to focus on the results of our opponents, as we concentrate on our own play. We need to focus on ourselves and keep moving forward. Every match against any opponents gives the same three points, so it was important to win, especially since Dynamo dropped points.