According to the Pitmen’s mentor, the team not only followed the plan, but also played with their hearts
Main coach Shakhtar Igor Jovicevich believes that the team was able to win the first match of the group stage Champions League with RB Leipzig, as she played for the whole of Ukraine.
“I believe in the team from the first day we started working. Maybe no one expected such a bright victory, because we knew perfectly well who we were playing against. Leipzig is a reputable club that is in the top 3 in the German Bundesliga on a budget. The club is very powerful, which may be temporarily going through a small crisis. And we used it.”
“But they fully deserved such a result, because they played with their hearts. When you play with your heart for the country, for Ukraine, it turns out the way it is today. I am completely proud of the team and I can say that I am now the happiest coach in the world. It’s an unforgettable debut.”
“The match has just ended, and we are now rebuilding for the UPL – Chernomorets is already waiting. We must reaffirm our form, mental and tactical stability. Because it’s hard to win, but it’s even harder to win in a row and win in a situation that requires mental toughness from the team.
We are a young team. It turned out so well now, but next time it might be different. Because it’s an emotional swing for young players. And today they behaved like adults, very, very skilled football players. There was no difference in age. And it made me happy. So I want to focus on Chernomorets now, because the UPL is the alma mater of our process. Without success in the UPL, there are no such spectacular matches in the Champions League.”
“When you play only with your mind, you consciously choose a strategy, you have greater concentration, you react better, you can tell a football player what to do. Because everything is planned. But when a football player has talent and starts playing with his heart, and today we played for the country, for Ukraine in the debut match, this is a very big plus for our team from a mental point of view. And at such a moment you forget about everything, you connect with the match and just fly around the field. And they weren’t tired.”
“Maybe tomorrow they will, but today they had such adrenaline that they themselves are simply shocked by how they played. Honestly, I’m happy and happy for them because we showed what we can. They showed the level that they must keep, and this bar should not be lowered below. Because now we will be required to continue playing in a way that is not always possible, because these are young players. But I am grateful to them, I love them very much, and we will continue to work further and modestly go from match to match. It is very important”.
Shakhtar defeated Leipzig in the opening match (4:1) and topped Group F. In addition to Shved’s brace, Mikhail Mudrik and Lassina Traore each scored a goal.
In the second round, Jovićević’s men will host Celtic on September 14. Recall that the Scottish club in the home arena devastatingly lost to Real Madrid (0:3).
The Pitmen will play the match of the 4th round of the UPL with Chernomorets on September 10.
Source: Sportarena
I am Sandra Jackson, a journalist and content creator with extensive experience in the news industry. I have been working in the news media for over five years. During this time, I have worked as an author and editor at various outlets producing high-quality content that attracts readers from different demographics.
