First match against Rennes – 16 February
Shakhtar head coach Igor Jovichevich commented on the training camp and sparring of the team in Turkey, and preparation for the play-off matches of the Europa League against Rennes.
“It is important that no one has fallen out due to injury, because we had several problems at this training camp – these are small injuries, viruses, temperature, which are knocked out of the rhythm. Therefore, we were very rarely in full force, and this affected the training process, where we must get the shape we want to have before the matches of the championship and the Europa League. But in recent days we have gathered ourselves, stabilized, and the last game showed that through emotions we carried out the last test before Rennes, felt the taste of victory and confidently approached the last microcycle in Warsaw, where we will still prepare for Rennes. I can be satisfied with the team’s energy, structure, goals scored, combinatorics. Of course there is still a week to work on certain segments and I think we will prepare very well for Rennes.”
“Is Traore ready for the fight with Rennes? It is obvious. You can compare his game in the championship and now: he actively participates in the development of team actions, has more confidence, more often gets into zones where he is dangerous for the opponent. The properties that he has are very important for us, because we can play a pass to the third because of him, he can take the ball himself, turn around, give a pass or score a goal. This forward is undoubtedly of very high quality. Must wait a bit, although I am very pleased with his progress. I am absolutely convinced that this will be the best reinforcement for our team, especially when he gets in shape. We waited because we know his qualities. But after the injury, it was really hard for him, and now I am very glad that he scored and actively participated in team activities.
“Marjan Shved is a top winger for us, for our game. Especially in that structure, in positional actions, when we play through the pass to the third, then our wingers should be top-level. Unfortunately, Shved is still in pain. It will probably be ready in 15-20 days. We must now learn to live without such wingers who can really make a difference on the football field, but now we are looking for an alternative. Zubkov is another top that gives us a great alternative in terms of attack. Dima Kryskiv can close that zone, although he does not have winger characteristics in a one-on-one game, but through his skill, through intelligence, we can calm the game, turn it around, we can combinatorially get to the last third. We look forward to the Swede, because we know what he gave us, especially in the match with Leipzig, he showed how much he can help. But we must get used to the fact that he is not there yet, and wait.
“Dima Kryskiv can help the team, which he showed in recent games – through his assists, through his skill in scoring goals. In fact, after gathering, we can say that this is a combat unit that can play in the lineup in the position vacated by Mudrik. There is also Vanya Petryak, of course, but he also comes out after a small injury, which is why he did not play now. There is also Topalov in the lateral position, who, due to our play, especially in the UPL against closed opponents, acts as a winger, captures space well, shoots well and has a very high speed. I hope he will be able to create good competition with Mikhailichenko so that Bogdan does not think that he is alone, and he has added 100 percent more so as not to lose his place in the position of the left lateral. There is also Kozik – a young guy who plays a lateral and has the physical qualities to gain through games. This is important because his physique corresponds to the level of a miner.”
At the training camp in Turkey, Shakhtar confidently defeated Sarajevo in sparring (4:0). Two goals scored by Lassina Traore.
Earlier, Jovičević’s team lost in sparring to Austria (1:2), and also drew three meetings – with Slovenian Koper (2:2) and Bulgarian Ludogorets (2:2) and Slovenian Maribor (4:4).
In the Ukrainian championship, Shakhtar takes the second place, five points behind Dnipro-1. The Pitmen will play their next match in the UPL in the spring — on March 4, Shakhtar will face Metalist 1925.
On February 16 and 23, Jovićević’s men will play in the playoffs of the Europa League against the French Rennes.
Source: Sportarena
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