Alexandria coach Ruslan Rotan talks about the cup match with YUKSA and the start of the season
Head coach of Alexandria Ruslan Rotan commented victory your team over Yuksa in the 1/8 finals of the Ukrainian Cup, assessed the start of the season, spoke about the progress of his players and shared his expectations for the upcoming match with Polesie in the UPL.
— Nine changes in your team’s starting line-up compared to the previous game in the UPL. Was it easy for you to take such a step?
— We trust all our players. Everyone is preparing and it’s competition. We gave a chance to the guys who play less in the championship. I liked their game in the first half. We completely dominated and scored four goals. The guys’ motivation was at the proper level. I also liked the way they reacted to losing the ball.
However, in the second half we saw a different mentality – to achieve everything with little loss. I didn’t like it. We must become real professionals. It was important to work better with the ball – we didn’t succeed in the second half. But we will definitely talk to the guys.
— What happened to Bezerra, who was injured at the end of the match?
“It comes from his mood, how he prepared for this fight. I saw how he wanted to play in this match. In that episode, he needed to play a pass, and not beat several opponents. I think this injury is nothing serious and we can count on him.
— On Sunday we will have a super-battle – Alexandria vs. Polesie. These teams have not lost yet this season. What is your opinion about the team from Zhytomyr?
– Starting tomorrow we will begin preparations for this meeting. We are already analyzing the team actions of Polesie. Task No. 1 is the restoration of those who played in the Ukrainian Cup. We all understand the strength of Polesie, because they have a super selection of players. It will be difficult for us, but it will also be difficult for them.
— Ruslan Petrovich, Alexandria is always at the top of the standings, we are talking about the 2024-2025 season. What has changed in your team if we compare it with the spring of this year?
— The guys’ motivation has changed. They listen to us and try to improve their game. Where we played a draw last season, we are now winning. This is a big plus. In the current Ukrainian championship we often win with a minimal score. I want to win easily and get satisfaction from victories. Then we can count on high places.
— Whose progress surprised you the most?
— Many of the guys made me happy. It will not be a secret to say that Ivan Kalyuzhny has progressed. We left him at home and did not bring him to Kyiv. Recently, he has had a heavy workload, including in the Ukrainian national team. He’ll take a little rest. Vashchenko – our young player deserves to play more, and we will try to give him this opportunity. We have young players who must improve.
— Why are our giants, Shakhtar and Dynamo, so unconvincing in European competition this spring? Is it all about the war?
“The war, unfortunately, affected everyone. Football is no exception. The level of the Ukrainian championship should be different. There must be resistance in every match on the football field. I would like to see games of the Dynamo-Shakhtar level in every round. Our rivals in European Cups play in strong championships where competition is high. We don’t have enough intensity. I am sure that after the end of the war the level of our football will increase.
Source: Sportarena
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