It was difficult to break down the opposition’s defence
Monday, August 10, 2026
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Shakhtar midfielder Oleh Ocheretko gave a comment to UPL.TV after the win over Epicentr
– Congratulations on the win! You couldn’t score in the first half, so how difficult was it to play against Epicentr?
– Thank you very much! The first half was very difficult, as they defended well and, to a large extent, the pitch didn’t allow us to play our game. The pitch was wet for the first ten minutes, but then it dried out, and it was difficult to break down the opposition’s defence. I think that in the second half we started playing more aggressively in attack and pressing in their half.
– The second goal: you said it was difficult to break down the opposition’s defence, but you found a gap. Epicentr had the numerical advantage, so let’s recall that moment.
– Of course, we were filling the penalty area.
– After scoring the first goal, you seemed to calm down a little. Did you give yourselves a chance to catch your breath and not go chasing a big score?
– It’s very difficult to play in such conditions. When you’re always playing with the ball in this kind of weather, you get very tired. Sometimes you need to give the ball away to catch your breath, and then start pressing again and win the ball back.
– After the match, we saw Arda Turan come over and say something. What did you personally manage to hear after the final whistle?
– He congratulated us on the win and said a few words in the dressing room.
– Thank you very much! The first half was very difficult, as they defended well and, to a large extent, the pitch didn’t allow us to play our game. The pitch was wet for the first ten minutes, but then it dried out, and it was difficult to break down the opposition’s defence. I think that in the second half we started playing more aggressively in attack and pressing in their half.
– The second goal: you said it was difficult to break down the opposition’s defence, but you found a gap. Epicentr had the numerical advantage, so let’s recall that moment.
– Of course, we were filling the penalty area.
– After scoring the first goal, you seemed to calm down a little. Did you give yourselves a chance to catch your breath and not go chasing a big score?
– It’s very difficult to play in such conditions. When you’re always playing with the ball in this kind of weather, you get very tired. Sometimes you need to give the ball away to catch your breath, and then start pressing again and win the ball back.
– After the match, we saw Arda Turan come over and say something. What did you personally manage to hear after the final whistle?
– He congratulated us on the win and said a few words in the dressing room.