We’ve been working in good spirits and with readiness for the physical demands
Thursday, January 22, 2026
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Shakhtar women’s head coach Roman Zaiev summed up the first training camp cycle and spoke about the team’s upcoming plans
– Shakhtar women’s team have completed the first cycle of their training camp. Could you tell us more about this stage and whether you managed to achieve what was planned?
– Looking back on the working week, it began with team meetings during which the players received an overview of the workload awaiting them. We’ve been working in good spirits and with readiness for the physical demands, and I’m very grateful for that. After the scheduled medical examination, we moved on to intensive training aimed at preparing the body systems for the loads that will come during the second specialised cycle. Weather conditions, of course, brought some adjustments, as we had planned to build the aerobic base outdoors, but we are grateful to have the facilities and opportunity to complete the planned work in the indoor arena.
– Alina Starukhina was named the Player of the Year 2025 by the fans. What can you say about this and the midfielder’s progress?
– Alina is a very determined and ambitious footballer. If she doesn’t make the starting line-up, she takes it to heart. In such cases, we have individual talks with her, and she understands and accepts them. I believe she is a performer who, quite likely, could join the Ukraine national team in the near future.
– This Friday, the team will begin their second specialised training camp. Could you share the plans and objectives you have for the players during this period?
– On January 23, we will arrive at the base and move to a twice-daily training schedule, which will be clearly structured according to workload. In the mornings, using our facilities, we will focus on strength, speed and running work to develop physical fitness. Evening sessions will have a technical-tactical focus. We aim to make the next week intensive in terms of preparation and will finish it with a friendly match against Polissia Zhytomyr.
– Looking back on the working week, it began with team meetings during which the players received an overview of the workload awaiting them. We’ve been working in good spirits and with readiness for the physical demands, and I’m very grateful for that. After the scheduled medical examination, we moved on to intensive training aimed at preparing the body systems for the loads that will come during the second specialised cycle. Weather conditions, of course, brought some adjustments, as we had planned to build the aerobic base outdoors, but we are grateful to have the facilities and opportunity to complete the planned work in the indoor arena.
– Alina Starukhina was named the Player of the Year 2025 by the fans. What can you say about this and the midfielder’s progress?
– Alina is a very determined and ambitious footballer. If she doesn’t make the starting line-up, she takes it to heart. In such cases, we have individual talks with her, and she understands and accepts them. I believe she is a performer who, quite likely, could join the Ukraine national team in the near future.
– This Friday, the team will begin their second specialised training camp. Could you share the plans and objectives you have for the players during this period?
– On January 23, we will arrive at the base and move to a twice-daily training schedule, which will be clearly structured according to workload. In the mornings, using our facilities, we will focus on strength, speed and running work to develop physical fitness. Evening sessions will have a technical-tactical focus. We aim to make the next week intensive in terms of preparation and will finish it with a friendly match against Polissia Zhytomyr.