We controlled the game and gave the score a lopsided look
Thursday, March 5, 2026
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Shakhtar U19 head coach Oleksii Bielik’s comments after the victory over Oleksandriia U19
– A good performance from our team. However, I always emphasise that, given the score, it may seem as though the win was easy. It should be understood that if we achieve such a result, it comes from the hard work we do throughout the week while preparing for the match. It so happened that we took the lead in the very first minute because, when analysing the opponents, we understood that they like to keep possession and have many different options when building from the back. We prepared very well and pressed in the first minute the way we had worked on beforehand, which led to the goal. After that, when the opponents had to open up, we controlled the game and gave the score a lopsided look. I would like to thank the lads for the performance and this result.
– Shakhtar U19 took the lead very quickly. Did such an early goal affect the team’s psychological state and the further course of the match?
– We always try to take the lead as early as possible, although it does not always work out. Perhaps the approaching March 8 also played a role in this early goal: I had planned two training sessions for the team on that day, but the lads asked for a day off. I told them that if they won today, they would get the day off. You can see how much they value their girlfriends, mothers and sisters, and the reaction it produced. What we had worked on in training, the players put into practice from the very first minutes. They deserve these days off.
– The team used high pressing effectively and forced Oleksandriia U19 into mistakes. Are you satisfied with how your players pressed the opponents?
– We pressed both high and in the mid-block. As I have already emphasised, Oleksandriia U19 like to play the ball and do not simply clear it forward, but have many options for building from the back through short and medium passes. We knew they would try to control the ball and that at some point they would make a mistake under our pressing because we understood when it was the right moment to press. The boys coped with this very well and we managed to score an early goal, after which our quality allowed us to secure a crushing win. This is important, but it is no less important that the team kept a clean sheet, even though the match was not without mistakes. We are also a team that like to play the ball and attack, but we must not forget about defending. Today we were very solid.
– There was a forced substitution in the 51st minute: Kanteh left the pitch and Lomaha came on. What is known about Kanteh’s condition and how do you assess Lomaha’s performance, given that it took him five minutes to score?
– Kanteh asked to be substituted after a collision because of slight discomfort. I should also emphasise that we had planned this substitution: Lomaha earned his chance through his hard work and persistence. Oleksandr was not with the team during the training camp, but he did not give up and continued to work hard and that work resulted in a goal. He had also scored earlier in a friendly match. Lomaha is a good example for those footballers who receive less playing time. I’m happy for him. As for Kanteh, I do not believe it is a serious injury.
– Shakhtar U19 took the lead very quickly. Did such an early goal affect the team’s psychological state and the further course of the match?
– We always try to take the lead as early as possible, although it does not always work out. Perhaps the approaching March 8 also played a role in this early goal: I had planned two training sessions for the team on that day, but the lads asked for a day off. I told them that if they won today, they would get the day off. You can see how much they value their girlfriends, mothers and sisters, and the reaction it produced. What we had worked on in training, the players put into practice from the very first minutes. They deserve these days off.
– The team used high pressing effectively and forced Oleksandriia U19 into mistakes. Are you satisfied with how your players pressed the opponents?
– We pressed both high and in the mid-block. As I have already emphasised, Oleksandriia U19 like to play the ball and do not simply clear it forward, but have many options for building from the back through short and medium passes. We knew they would try to control the ball and that at some point they would make a mistake under our pressing because we understood when it was the right moment to press. The boys coped with this very well and we managed to score an early goal, after which our quality allowed us to secure a crushing win. This is important, but it is no less important that the team kept a clean sheet, even though the match was not without mistakes. We are also a team that like to play the ball and attack, but we must not forget about defending. Today we were very solid.
– There was a forced substitution in the 51st minute: Kanteh left the pitch and Lomaha came on. What is known about Kanteh’s condition and how do you assess Lomaha’s performance, given that it took him five minutes to score?
– Kanteh asked to be substituted after a collision because of slight discomfort. I should also emphasise that we had planned this substitution: Lomaha earned his chance through his hard work and persistence. Oleksandr was not with the team during the training camp, but he did not give up and continued to work hard and that work resulted in a goal. He had also scored earlier in a friendly match. Lomaha is a good example for those footballers who receive less playing time. I’m happy for him. As for Kanteh, I do not believe it is a serious injury.