– Actually, we were a little late on vacation. The team rested for a long time. We were supposed to start the meeting not on January 25, but earlier. It’s good that the weather allowed us to train on a natural field from the first day. And, as of today, I believe that we have worked quite fruitfully during this time. Satisfied with the work done and, most importantly, the attitude of the guys to the matter. Regarding the readiness of the team, it is too early to talk about it, and regarding preparation, it was decided to move away from stereotypes in this matter.
We don’t have such a thing that we first run in a circle and wind up kilometers, focusing exclusively on physical conditions, their recovery, as is often done in other clubs out of a constant habit. From the first day, we try to work on all components of training comprehensively. We pay attention to physics, tactics, and technique. There is still enough time until March, when the competitions in the First League resume, so we do not chase horses, but do everything calmly, we do not hurry anywhere. And this is a positive moment.
Meetings outside of Ukraine? In the context of this question, I recall last season when I coached Cherkasy LNZ. We had a meeting in Spain first, and then we returned to Ukraine and trained in Transcarpathia. And I will tell you frankly that I was not satisfied with that period. It was as if they were training on a natural field, but the weather was not great and the lawn was frozen. It was not possible to work fully, qualitatively, in such conditions. I don’t want it to happen the second time.
Therefore, I would not like to go anywhere from Odessa. The main thing is for the weather to be good, positive, at least a couple of degrees above zero, and we will be able to train well and prepare for the second half of the season at our base. The conditions here are good, we are comfortable. Everything is there, you don’t need to go anywhere, except for sparring.
When are the control matches? I can’t say (smiles). And not because it’s a secret or because I don’t want to. While we are only negotiating with future rivals, negotiations are underway, we are looking for options that are beneficial for us, let’s say. But, I can say with confidence that from February 9 we will start playing sparring matches with local teams from Odesa.
Source: sport.ua