Polunin: Trubin’s price increased with every penalty saved

Shakhtar remains the only Ukrainian club that continues to fight in European competition. The second leg of the play-off round of the Europa League qualifier against Rennes was not easy for the Pitmen. There was also some luck involved. However, according to the ex-midfielder of the Ukrainian national team Andriy Polunin, football luck must be earned.

– Who, in your opinion, was the favorite of the confrontation after the first match?

– Judging by the first match, there were approximately equal teams. It is clear that Shakhtar’s chances for a pass were not bad, because there was an advantage of one goal. Plus, I know how Igor Jovićević takes the most careful approach to preparing for any game. He carefully analyzes the opponent’s game.

– Still, the beginning of the match was very difficult for the guests. Why did it happen?

– The players of Rennes wanted to quickly recoup and by the 10th minute they disturbed Trubin three times. Only after the 15th minute of the game did the Pitmen push the game slightly away from their goal. It is unfortunate that the German referee Tobias Stieler did not count Traore’s goal in the 22nd minute of the match. Yes, there the ball hit Bondarenko’s hand, but this can only be seen with numerous repetitions, as they say, under a microscope.

— You knew that Rennes in the championship of France plays the best at home. This season, Genesio’s wards scored 33 points, which is more than, for example, PSG scored …

– Did not know. But you can see how the players of Rennes are determined to fight decisively from the first minute of the meeting. Doku stood out in particular. He simply wore down his opponents. He organized two goals from Rennes. In one of the goals scored, he simply put Matvienko and Mikhailichenko on his neck and rolled the ball under the blow of a partner. He also could have scored, but our goalkeeper Anatoly Trubin prevented him.

— Judging by the statistics, Rennes outplayed the Pitmen. The French struck 19 shots on goal against 4. And the hosts hit the target 9 times, to which the Ukrainians responded with only 2 shots.

– Yes it is. But I liked that Shakhtar had no obvious failures in defense. The hosts did not have exits one on one with the goalkeeper, they did not beat from a lethal distance. Yes, and our defenders helped their keeper, blocking many shots. We often saw shots from outside the box. It is clear that in general, our team was lucky. But this luck still needs to be earned. Rennes is constantly playing in their championship and looks great. And for Donetsk Shakhtar, these were only the first official matches.

— How do you like the game of Topalov, who replaced Kryskiv in the starting lineup?

– In general, as for a debutant, he did not fall out of the game. He played on the flank with Mikhailichenko, and it was difficult for him to hold back powerful opponents. He did not stand out and this is quite natural.

— With the score at 0:2, did you have faith that Shakhtar could score a goal and switch the game to a series of penalty kicks?

Faith must always be preserved. It is clear that the scoring chance can be in any attack. We saw a good pass from Djurasek into the penalty area, and already there the defender cut the ball into his own net. The young defender of Rennes could not cope with the excitement. Belosyan is only 18 years old and this is a difficult moment in his career.

– But this could not have happened, score a goal by Daniil Sikan in the 88th minute of the meeting. Zubkov fired a cross into the goalkeeper’s area, where Shakhtar’s striker only had to put his foot in. But we also remember about his moment in Glasgow, in the Champions League match against Celtic. What is the level of play of Sikan? Does he correspond to the level of a miner?

– Both in Scotland and in France, Sikan did not convert obvious scoring chances. He failed to respond appropriately to good situations. Still, he brings value to the team by coming on as a substitute.

– Traore began to play better than in the fall?

— Yes, there is progress in his game. His 70 minutes he worked great. He was opposed by powerful defenders, the level of the Champions League. He fought them well. We know Lassina’s strengths – he can cover the ball well with his body. He scored a goal, although it was not counted. Traore starts the match, and then Sikan comes on as a substitute – a good rotation in attack. Plus, we remember how serious his injury was a year and a half ago in a game with Inter.

– Let’s move on to Anatoly Trubin’s game. Shakhtar keeper – man of the match?

– I would not want to single out anyone, but Trubin had a great game, often helping out his team. And in the penalty shootout, he saved three shots. His game is distinguished by calmness and reliability. With each repulsed penalty, the price of it grew. (laughs). In addition to a good reaction, he plays great with his feet. The game model that Shakhtar prefers suits him.

— The rookie miners Kelsey scored the decisive penalty…

– Yes, the 18-year-old boy just flew in from Venezuela and was not afraid to take charge at the decisive moment of this series. He is only 10 days in the team, but has already managed to benefit her.

– In the first game of the 1/8 finals of the Europa League, due to the bust of yellow cards from Shakhtar, Mikhailichenko, Bondar and Konoplya will not play. Is this a big problem for the coaching staff?

– Certainly. If one leading defender cannot play, it is already difficult, and here are three players. Who will replace them Jovicevich? I think that Taylor and Rakitskiy will definitely play. Who else? Maybe Kozik, maybe they will put Topalov on the left in defense. Jovićević knows the peculiarities of the game of his players. The young guys have no experience, but maybe the same Kozik will shoot in such an important match and his career will go up. There were many such examples. Opportunities can and should be seized.

– In a month at Wembley, the Ukrainian team will play the first qualifying match for the European Championship 2024. In your opinion, who should play in the blue-yellow goal: Anatoly Trubin or Andrey Lunin?

– I think that Trubin. He plays all the time. Lunin has little game practice in Real Madrid. And Trubin will gain more form in a month.