I'm pleased with the way the young Brazilians are adapting to the club
Friday, July 24, 2026
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Shakhtar midfielder Pedrinho shared his thoughts on the friendly against Gorica (2-0), the progress of the summer training camp and the adaptation of the newcomers
– Shakhtar claimed a win in the friendly and you contributed with a goal and an assist. Can you share your emotions and sum up the match?
– It's always nice to be involved in the goals, even if it was only a friendly. It's very important for our evolution, our growth and the direction we're trying to move in as a team to keep winning. It's a good habit we're trying to build. So I'm really pleased both with my personal contribution and the team's success.
– How would you describe your contribution to both goals?
– As for the first goal, we were dominating possession and trying to move the ball forward. If I remember correctly, Alisson passed it to me after receiving the ball between the lines and carrying it forward. All I had to do was finish the move. I noticed the goalkeeper was shifting his weight, so it would have been difficult for him to stop a shot sent the other way. I picked my spot and, fortunately, managed to convert the chance. As for the second goal, it came from a set piece that we've been working on in training. All I had to do was deliver the cross, and Alisson got his head to the ball, which allowed us to score.
– You missed the previous match. What was the reason?
– Simply to manage my workload. Pre-season is very demanding, and the coaching staff gave me the chance to rest so I'd be in the best possible form for the start of the new season. At the same time, it served two purposes as it also gave other footballers who need match practice the opportunity to build confidence by getting on the pitch and experiencing the intensity of a competition. I think it was a great opportunity both for me to get some rest and conserve my energy and for the other players in my position to show what they can do.
– Are you feeling the accumulated fatigue at this stage?
– Yes, I think you could see that in these pre-season matches we're a bit slower than usual and perhaps not as physically sharp as the fans are used to seeing. But that's completely normal because the training programme during the camp is designed to bring us to peak fitness later on. We've done a lot of running and put in plenty of physical, strength and tactical work, so that's affecting our freshness in these friendlies at the moment. However, it's an essential part of our preparation for the new season.
– You're seen as a leader among the young Brazilians, who always seem to listen to your advice. Can you tell our fans how Bruninho and Rayan Roberto are adapting? How are you helping them settle into the team based on your own experience?
– Thank you for giving me the status of a leader. I do try to take on that role with the younger Brazilian players and share my experience with them. I understand exactly what they're going through because I've been in the same situation myself: they came to a completely different country and have to adapt to a completely different style of play. The most important thing for them is to have support and guidance from people who have already been through it, and that's what we're trying to provide. Not just me, but all the players who have been at the club longer. The key for them now is to understand that they're still young, they're developing, they're learning and they're going to make mistakes. That's completely normal. What matters is how they respond to those mistakes and how quickly they try to correct them. That's probably the most valuable advice I can give them at the moment. I'm really pleased with the way they are adapting to the club and settling into the squad, and I can see great potential and a bright future ahead of them.
– How ready are the team for the start of the season and the first competitive matches?
– As I mentioned earlier, despite the overall fatigue we're feeling at the moment, we're physically ready for the start of the new season. We'll be in even better condition by the time the competitive matches begin and, of course, we'll give 100 per cent to deliver the best possible results for our fans.
– It's always nice to be involved in the goals, even if it was only a friendly. It's very important for our evolution, our growth and the direction we're trying to move in as a team to keep winning. It's a good habit we're trying to build. So I'm really pleased both with my personal contribution and the team's success.
– How would you describe your contribution to both goals?
– As for the first goal, we were dominating possession and trying to move the ball forward. If I remember correctly, Alisson passed it to me after receiving the ball between the lines and carrying it forward. All I had to do was finish the move. I noticed the goalkeeper was shifting his weight, so it would have been difficult for him to stop a shot sent the other way. I picked my spot and, fortunately, managed to convert the chance. As for the second goal, it came from a set piece that we've been working on in training. All I had to do was deliver the cross, and Alisson got his head to the ball, which allowed us to score.
– You missed the previous match. What was the reason?
– Simply to manage my workload. Pre-season is very demanding, and the coaching staff gave me the chance to rest so I'd be in the best possible form for the start of the new season. At the same time, it served two purposes as it also gave other footballers who need match practice the opportunity to build confidence by getting on the pitch and experiencing the intensity of a competition. I think it was a great opportunity both for me to get some rest and conserve my energy and for the other players in my position to show what they can do.
– Are you feeling the accumulated fatigue at this stage?
– Yes, I think you could see that in these pre-season matches we're a bit slower than usual and perhaps not as physically sharp as the fans are used to seeing. But that's completely normal because the training programme during the camp is designed to bring us to peak fitness later on. We've done a lot of running and put in plenty of physical, strength and tactical work, so that's affecting our freshness in these friendlies at the moment. However, it's an essential part of our preparation for the new season.
– You're seen as a leader among the young Brazilians, who always seem to listen to your advice. Can you tell our fans how Bruninho and Rayan Roberto are adapting? How are you helping them settle into the team based on your own experience?
– Thank you for giving me the status of a leader. I do try to take on that role with the younger Brazilian players and share my experience with them. I understand exactly what they're going through because I've been in the same situation myself: they came to a completely different country and have to adapt to a completely different style of play. The most important thing for them is to have support and guidance from people who have already been through it, and that's what we're trying to provide. Not just me, but all the players who have been at the club longer. The key for them now is to understand that they're still young, they're developing, they're learning and they're going to make mistakes. That's completely normal. What matters is how they respond to those mistakes and how quickly they try to correct them. That's probably the most valuable advice I can give them at the moment. I'm really pleased with the way they are adapting to the club and settling into the squad, and I can see great potential and a bright future ahead of them.
– How ready are the team for the start of the season and the first competitive matches?
– As I mentioned earlier, despite the overall fatigue we're feeling at the moment, we're physically ready for the start of the new season. We'll be in even better condition by the time the competitive matches begin and, of course, we'll give 100 per cent to deliver the best possible results for our fans.