What to expect from the match-answer, what the first impressions of the new head coach Donetsk Arda Turan, as the Brazilians adapt to Ukrainian realities-all this and other interesting moments in the exclusive interview of the site Sport.ua Shakhtar’s defender told Valery Bondar.
– Valery, Shakhtar’s official season opened the Europa League match against Finnish Ilves. Could the game assume that the match would end with a score of 6: 0?
– No. We studied this opponent and realized that the game would be difficult. They are not just in the top of the standings. And last season Ilves can bring it into the asset. Despite the fact that this is the Finnish league, their game was forced to respect the opponent.
– In the course of the first game, when I realized that Shakhtar would not miss his?
-We could feel calmer if Elias scored in the 3rd minute. It was important for me that the team did not miss, as it happened last season. And what the moments would be, I had no doubt. So it turned out. Probably, after two goals, it became clear that Shakhtar would not give his own.
-What is the goal of the team in the match?
– It will not change, Shakhtar will strive for victory. The coach told us that we were going from match to match, so no one should think about the big win over the “Ilves” in the first duel. Moreover, we need to score points not only in the piggy bank of the club coefficient, but also for Ukraine.
FC Shakhtar. Alysson Santana – Alysson Santana became the hero of the first duel?
– The whole team worked for this result, but of course, if you pay attention to individual indicators, then five points on the system “goal+pass” are worthy of respect. He works a lot in training and here, the result came.
– Shakhtar was headed by Turkish specialist Arda Turan. What are the first impressions of this mentor?
– Not everyone understood how big a football figure is during his playing career. I am sure that and how the Arda Turan coach will show himself. He immediately said that a lot of work was waiting for us, especially the running and tactical. In the training process, it is a demanding and emotional specialist, but in the life of Arda Turan is more calm.
I am sure that that excitement, emotions, football aggression that the coach gives us will be transferred to games. Shakhtar will become stronger. It just takes a little time, since no team in the world can immediately show the maximum when a new coach came.
– Many domestic experts believe that Shakhtar will not be easy to achieve, at least in the near future, serious results, since Turan’s Arda has little experience in high -level work.
-Experts are always distinguished by the fact that they often give the wrong predictions or say not quite the right things, which, after all, then happen in a completely different way. I am convinced that if a club as Shakhtar trusted this mentor, then the players should be the same, then it is easier to pave your victorious path. In the training process and matches I can say exactly what this mentor wants.
Suffice it to say that Turan, like a football player, worked and has drawn a lot from such monsters of the coaching shop as Luis Enrique, Diego Simeone, Fatich Terim.
I am convinced that mutual respect will lead our team to great victories, both in the domestic arena and in the European Cups. We will do everything on us that this season is successful for Shakhtar.
FC Shakhtar. Arda Turan – What is the difference between Arda Turba and the former coach of Marino Pushich team?
– All the coaches I work with and work in Shakhtar have good human qualities. The same Arda Turan carefully listens to our questions or any wishes.
And as for your question, there is a difference in how to attack and how to defend. It should be a compact block that always moves. This is not about one in one, but about areas, how to cover them properly and how to move. There are also interesting moments in the coach arsenal when you need to show aggression in the loss of the ball. As I said, a lot of physical work was added for the current coach, running, both with a ball and without a ball.
– It is clear that Shakhtar’s task in the domestic arena is victories in all tournaments. And why will the team try to achieve in the Europa League?
– Everyone wants to count on the trophies, both players and fans. And Shakhtar will strive for it. Last season we have finished unsuccessful, so now we start, we can say a new way. I will not speak loud words, it is necessary to go from play to play. Now we are waiting for a match in Finland, and then, if everything happens, we will meet with “Besiktas”. Naturally, our minimal task is to break into the group round of the Europa League. But again, we do not look there, before that there is a lot of work.
– What is your most memorable match for Shakhtar in the European Cups?
– I would have allocated some games. This is the victory over Real Madrid (3: 2) 2020, in the Champions League group round, and over Barcelona (1-0) at the same stage of the 2023 competition. And I also remembered the match of the group round of the Champions Leipzig (4: 1). It was Shakhtar’s first European Cup duel after the active phase of the war in 2022.
– You mentioned last season. Why, in your opinion, Shakhtar failed to win the gold medals of the championship?
– The analysis takes place after a certain time, but it is still difficult to find this reason. There is no one else. We talked in the team on this topic, but we did not reach a consensus. Here, of course, you can note Dynamo, which spent a good season. The people of Kiev did not lose their points, and we, in turn, were asked where it could not be done. And Alexandria published its best season in history. And when this happens again, it is difficult to say. It is something like Lester, Gironi (smiles).
But nothing, life continues. We have made conclusions and now we will try not to step on the same rake. I believe that this season will be completely different for Shakhtar.
– Shakhtar, as always, many Brazilian football players. How do you communicate on the field during the match?
– We have a good relationship inside the team. Many guys know common phrases. Ukrainians, for their part, try to help foreign players in this regard. Moreover, there is a training process, where we are all the moments that can occur in the game, we work out for automatism.
FC Shakhtar. Pedro Enrique – Who among Shakhtar Brazilians is the most sociable?
– I think Pedro Enrique. A cheerful guy. Tries to speak our language. A good person.
– How do foreigners treat what is happening in Ukraine?
– Of course, they are interested in the situation. They are worried because sometimes families come to players, which is double responsibility. They also very much want the war to end as soon as possible.
– This situation does not prevent them from indulging in the field to the maximum?
– Of course, it imposes its imprint somewhere, because the football player is far from home in the country where the war is ongoing. They shoot, often anxiety, it is difficult to perceive. However, our Brazilians are well, they are real professionals. In many respects, Shakhtar has sought, achieved and will achieve high results.
Source: Sport.ua