We are moving in the right direction
Sunday, February 15, 2026
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Shakhtar U19 head coach Oleksii Bielik summed up the team’s work during the training camp in Türkiye
– Shakhtar U19 concluded their preparatory training camp in Türkiye with friendly matches against Luzern U19 and Samtredia U19. How productive were these matches and what conclusions can be drawn from all the friendlies?
– They were good friendlies as the opponents play very different styles. While Luzern U19 are a vertical team that operate in an aggressive, physical style, Samtredia played more technically. These matches were very useful, especially since many players who play a key role in building the game were with the senior team, so younger footballers got some practice. I’m satisfied with the friendlies and that every player got minutes on the pitch. At the same time, I can repeat what I’ve said before: we create enough chances, but our finishing lets us down, and we concede from our own mistakes. However, there is logic to this as many young players born in 2008 are getting match practice, creating strong competition for those who have had the chance to train with the senior team.
– What is Shakhtar U19’s level of fitness after the training camp in Türkiye ahead of the second part of the season?
– Everything we planned was successfully completed. At the same time, it’s important to understand that no training process, friendly match or workload can fully replace a competitive game. I believe we are approaching the resumption of the championship in good condition and are functionally ready to implement all our work on the pitch – both technically and tactically.
– It’s known that the match against Karpaty U19, which was scheduled for next week, has been postponed to early April. What was the reason for this decision?
– We spoke with the national team coaches, and they requested that five of our players be called up, including Mylokost, Kaliuzhnyi, Kostiuk, Balakai and Zubrii. These are footballers who regularly gain match experience with Shakhtar U19, and it would be difficult for us to play league games without them. That’s why we contacted Karpaty U19, who accommodated us, so the clash will take place later. All of this is because we want our players to represent Shakhtar in the Ukraine national teams.
– Shakhtar U19 players were involved in the senior team’s training process and got playing time in friendly matches. How important is this experience for young performers in terms of their development and motivation?
– It’s very important experience and now this decision is a key step by the senior team in developing young footballers. When you get the chance to train, play squares, warm up alongside first team players, and especially start matches, as Smetana did, it provides additional motivation that no coach can artificially create. I’m very pleased that our footballers had the opportunity to train and take part in the senior team’s friendlies.
– What objectives will the team have in the second half of the championship?
– I attended a first team’s friendly, and it was very rewarding to see our youth players with the senior squad, getting the chance to make their debuts and get playing time. I’m sure that at that moment both I and the coaching staff felt proud of our lads. This is further proof that we are moving in the right direction. It also adds motivation to keep working and striving for as many Shakhtar U19 footballers as possible to join the senior team – that is our main goal.
– What are the immediate plans after returning to Shchaslyve?
– The team will have a few days off, and on February 18 we will gather at the Shchaslyve base to continue our preparation. A friendly match against Livyi Bereh-2 is scheduled for next week, after which we will begin direct preparation for the league match against Veres U19.
– They were good friendlies as the opponents play very different styles. While Luzern U19 are a vertical team that operate in an aggressive, physical style, Samtredia played more technically. These matches were very useful, especially since many players who play a key role in building the game were with the senior team, so younger footballers got some practice. I’m satisfied with the friendlies and that every player got minutes on the pitch. At the same time, I can repeat what I’ve said before: we create enough chances, but our finishing lets us down, and we concede from our own mistakes. However, there is logic to this as many young players born in 2008 are getting match practice, creating strong competition for those who have had the chance to train with the senior team.
– What is Shakhtar U19’s level of fitness after the training camp in Türkiye ahead of the second part of the season?
– Everything we planned was successfully completed. At the same time, it’s important to understand that no training process, friendly match or workload can fully replace a competitive game. I believe we are approaching the resumption of the championship in good condition and are functionally ready to implement all our work on the pitch – both technically and tactically.
– It’s known that the match against Karpaty U19, which was scheduled for next week, has been postponed to early April. What was the reason for this decision?
– We spoke with the national team coaches, and they requested that five of our players be called up, including Mylokost, Kaliuzhnyi, Kostiuk, Balakai and Zubrii. These are footballers who regularly gain match experience with Shakhtar U19, and it would be difficult for us to play league games without them. That’s why we contacted Karpaty U19, who accommodated us, so the clash will take place later. All of this is because we want our players to represent Shakhtar in the Ukraine national teams.
– Shakhtar U19 players were involved in the senior team’s training process and got playing time in friendly matches. How important is this experience for young performers in terms of their development and motivation?
– It’s very important experience and now this decision is a key step by the senior team in developing young footballers. When you get the chance to train, play squares, warm up alongside first team players, and especially start matches, as Smetana did, it provides additional motivation that no coach can artificially create. I’m very pleased that our footballers had the opportunity to train and take part in the senior team’s friendlies.
– What objectives will the team have in the second half of the championship?
– I attended a first team’s friendly, and it was very rewarding to see our youth players with the senior squad, getting the chance to make their debuts and get playing time. I’m sure that at that moment both I and the coaching staff felt proud of our lads. This is further proof that we are moving in the right direction. It also adds motivation to keep working and striving for as many Shakhtar U19 footballers as possible to join the senior team – that is our main goal.
– What are the immediate plans after returning to Shchaslyve?
– The team will have a few days off, and on February 18 we will gather at the Shchaslyve base to continue our preparation. A friendly match against Livyi Bereh-2 is scheduled for next week, after which we will begin direct preparation for the league match against Veres U19.