– How would you generally rate this group stage in the performance of the Turan team? There is a lot of talk about the fact that Shakhtar was lucky with the calendar, unlike Dynamo, which had such difficult opponents as Fiorentina or Crystal Peles.
– There is some truth in this, although the same “Fiorentina” and “Crystal Peles” did not go directly. Let’s be honest: the Conference League is not Shakhtar’s level, there are few teams here that can create competition for him. The class of players of the Donetsk club is much higher than the individual skills of their opponents in the group.
That is why, of course, we want the people of Donetsk to win this Conference League. First of all, this is a lot of points in the table of coefficients – both for Ukraine and for the club itself. Moreover, winning an international trophy at such a time would be a very big event for Ukraine.
At the same time, we understand that Shakhtar’s opponents were still difficult, despite the difference in class. In some games, there were problems, to recall the same “Legion”, which did not even go further. Still, you have to be 100 percent ready in every game.
But in general, “Shakhtar” is the level of the Champions League, at least the Europa League. Nevertheless, the team is equipped for the Champions League with Brazilians at no small cost and the best Ukrainian national team players.
– In this case, can we consider that this year’s achievements of Shakhtar in the Conference League are more about the class of players? The merits of Turan’s headquarters are less here?
– In most games, it was clear that Shakhtar won thanks to individual skills. However, the merits of the coaching staff cannot be underestimated. In the conditions of difficult military logistics, when it is impossible to physiologically restore players on the road, and this affects the results in the championship, coaches successfully rotate. They are not afraid to change three or four players at a time, keeping the entire bracket of 20 players in good shape. This psychologically motivates everyone to be 100 percent ready.
The coaching staff prepares for each opponent, analyzes their pressing and tactics. They play differently against each team, because someone plays with five defenders, and someone with four. These are all coaching ideas.
Source: sport.ua