Mentor of the youth team Gornyakov commented on the victory over Arsenal
Head coach Shakhtar U-19 Alexey Belik commented on the victory over Arsenal (1:0) in UEFA Youth League 2024/25.
“It was a good game and a very important victory, given the tournament position, because we increased our chances towards our goal of qualifying for the playoffs. As for the game, it is clear that it was difficult; Shakhtar U-19 was used to constantly playing on the ball. In the previous two rounds with Bologna U-19 and Atalanta U-19, we had the initiative most of the time.”
“I’m very happy with the guys, because they were patient and organized, and the discipline in defense was at the highest level. I don’t even remember that Arsenal U-19, with the exception of some flank passes, created pressure, but we coped with it, despite the fact that we played without the ball most of the time. In this aspect, football players have become much more flexible and are not performers who are used to only attacking and controlling the ball. In this regard, we have progressed significantly, and I emphasized in the pre-match setting that we will have an opportunity in attack that we will take advantage of.”
“The only thing is that we could add quality in counterattacks and make the score larger, but this seems to be the specifics of the domestic championship, where we act in positional defense and rarely counterattack.”
“We work on this aspect in training, and when this happens in matches against opponents like Arsenal, the players have not just excitement, but a greater desire, which affects our game, for example, in episodes when we counter-attacked with a numerical advantage , or at the moment with the blow of Sour Cream. In such situations I would like to be more calm-blooded, but this is the UEFA Youth League and at this age it is normal.
“It’s also worth noting the difficult travels, because each team we play against in European competition has a certain advantage. I will add that Arsenal U-19 players play in Premier League 2, and some of them have been involved in playing for the first team in cup competitions.”
The miners won thanks to a goal from Valentin Galonsky in the first half. In injury time, Belik’s team remained in the minority, but retained the winning result.
Shakhtar scored six points in three matches and is in 11th place in the overall League Stage table. In the next round, the Miners’ youth team will host Young Boys on November 6.
Source: Sportarena
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