This winter, Tverdokhlib went even higher, signing a contract with UPL leader Cherkasy LNZ. Yehor spoke about his first steps in the new team, the reasons for leaving Kryvbas and plans for the future in an exclusive interview for the site Sport.ua.
– Yehor, how is your adaptation at the LNH going, or has it already ended?
– Basically, everything happened quickly. I knew some of my teammates before and they helped me get used to it faster. More adaptation, I would say, is about the training process. Although here too, I think, everything is going well.
– Who are you friends with at LNZ?
– I had a normal relationship with all the guys, it’s just that, as I said, Denys Kuzyk, Oleksandr Drambaev paid more attention to me in the early days, so we performed together in Kryvyi Rih.
– You gave “Kryvbas” two years. Did you want a change?
– Yes. I longed for a new challenge, felt the desire to receive new emotions. I am grateful to “Kryvbas” and all the people who were there. I spent my best football years there so far.
– Why exactly LNZ?
– Probably, because this club wanted to see me in its team more than others. I myself was interested to try my hand at this ambitious team, which sets itself the highest goals.
LNZ Vitaly Ponomaryov – After signing the contract, you probably had a conversation with the team’s coach Vitaly Ponomarev. Where does he want to see you on the field?
– Indeed, we talked in detail with the coach, and I can say that I will have completely different functions at LNZ.
– Can I be more detailed?
– In “Kryvbas” Patrik van Leeuwen saw me in the role of an attacking midfielder, so that I would be on the ball, give passes and, if possible, run into free zones. But Vitaly Yuriyovych at this stage wants me to act as a central striker. I don’t know what will happen next, but so far. Therefore, my functions on the football field are different now. I have to hold on to the ball, cover zones in defense.
– Is the vision of football between Patrick van Leeuwen and Vitaly Ponomarev very different?
– Absolutely. The Dutch specialist emphasized the attack. In “Kryvbas” it was necessary to score more than concede. In LNZ, more attention is paid to defense. Here it is important not to miss, to act compactly. If you don’t miss, you haven’t lost, and there will definitely be a chance to score a goal ahead.
– LNZ is now the leader of the UPL. Does the management want it to end like this?
– They did not communicate with me on this topic (smiles). However, any team that wants to grow will strive for the best result. I am sure that everyone in LNZ wants to be as high as possible in the tournament table.
– In the second part of the championship, your main competitor will be Shakhtar, or will someone else be able to enter this fight?
– There is still almost half of the distance ahead, so anything can happen. I do not doubt the strength of Polissia or Dynamo. “Kryvbas”, “Colossus” and “Metalist 1925” should also not be discounted. There will be an interesting fight in the UPL in the spring.
– What will be decisive in this rivalry?
– Everything depends on us. LNZ will push back from its game. And closer to the end of the season, we will see what we can claim. It’s too early to make any predictions, and I’m not a fan of that.
Miner. Mykola Matvienko – Considering your new role on the field, you will be even closer to the defenders of the opponent. Which player of this role do you consider to be the strongest in Ukraine?
– It is difficult to say so right away. Probably Mykola Matvienko, who is difficult to beat one-on-one, besides, the Shakhtar defender works well with the ball. I cannot fail to note the defense of LNZ in the complex, which I felt in my experience, acting for “Kryvbas”. Suffice it to say, the Cherkasy team’s defense is the best in the Ukrainian Premier League. It is difficult to find gaps in these structures. This is the only team I haven’t scored against (smiles).
– During the last year and a half, you have demonstrated a stable level of play. Are you thinking about the national team of Ukraine?
– I don’t dwell on it. My task is to play and show quality football, the football that the head coach demands of me. If Serhiy Rebrov thinks that I can help the national team in some way, I will be called up, nothing more, nothing less.
– I asked you about this because I have heard from more than one specialist that Yehor Tverdokhlib deserved to be called up to the national team, because the blue-yellow attack has problems from time to time.
– If we are talking about attackers, then this is not exactly my position. Yes, I’m on the edge now, but this role takes some getting used to. Let’s see what will come of it. Whether this idea is good, time will tell.
Getty Images/Global Images Ukraine. Jude Bellingham – By the way, what is the strongest side of football player Yehor Tverdokhlib?
– I think dedication and common sense.
– Do you prefer to score or assist?
– To be sure, I think to score (smiles). But if my partner is in a better position, I will always give him a pass.
– Which of the European football players do you like in the position of eight or, let’s say, tens?
– Jude Bellingham. This performer does a huge amount of work in every match. He works well in defense and does a great job with his direct duties. Despite his size, he has excellent technique and speed.
Source: sport.ua