Artem Petrik: I do everything to get Ruslan Rotan’s attention

Niva had not missed a goal before this season, but suffered from the good work of Vinnytsia youth football. Two goals were scored against the hosts by forward Petrik, who is a product of Premier Niva, and the second goal was scored by a pass from former Niva player Astafyev.

Artem Petrik shared his impressions of Alexandria-2’s debut at the professional level with Sport Arena, and also spoke about the main tasks set for the team.

– How unexpected and pleasant for you was the recognition as the player of the match?

– I didn’t expect to win this honorable nomination. Of course, it’s nice when your game is duly appreciated by authoritative experts. Now there is a new challenge in my career, because there is an opportunity to play at a professional level. I will do everything possible to progress from match to match.

– Alexandria-2 has had a very successful start to the current season. Your team has not lost and is among the leaders. Were such results unexpected for you in your debut season among professionals?

– I can’t say that anyone in the team was surprised by such results. We work hard every day, had a quality off-season. It’s nice that our hard work is gradually starting to bear fruit. We do everything to create worthy competition and be at the top of the table.

– In which of the three opening matches did you demonstrate football that was close to perfect?

– There is no limit to perfection, so we still have a lot of work to do. We give 100% in every match, we work hard in training. The team was created so that young footballers have the opportunity to play among professionals and thus progress. It is important that one of us will strengthen the first team in the future.

— Perhaps it is because your team is not considered a favorite? Is it easier to play from the position of an outsider?

– I don’t consider Alexandria-2 an outsider. Our team has talented young players who are hungry for football. I am convinced that we will be able to progress from match to match.

– You started all three matches on the bench. How serious is the competition in your position and are there any grievances against the coaching staff, which does not give you the opportunity to play in the starting lineup?

– Indeed, there is significant competition among the forwards in our team. In addition, there are also reinforcements from the first team. Only in competition can you progress and reach a new level in your development. I am not afraid of competition, because it makes me stronger. I have no grudge against the coaches.

– You didn’t even have time to play for a minute against Niva and scored straight away. Do you remember the episode with the goal against Zakharchuk, who hadn’t missed a goal before this season?

– I saw the defender making a long pass to the winger and realized that I needed to run into the space and wait for my chance. It’s great that I assessed the situation correctly and realized the moment. Thanks to my teammate for the great pass.

– Did this goal add the necessary confidence or did you not have any extra anxiety before?

– I wasn’t nervous at all, my legs weren’t shaking. I understood that I could be useful to the team with my play. Of course, the goal gave me even more confidence in my abilities. I wanted to score as many as possible.

– How difficult was the transition from youth football to professional football for you personally? Is it still going on?

– I can’t say that it was very difficult for me to adapt to adult football. Of course, there is more speed, more athletic football, a lot of fighting. There is nothing like that in U-19 competitions. Nevertheless, you can adapt to everything quite quickly.

– Who do you owe the fact that you can now play among professionals?

– First of all, I want to thank my parents, who did a lot for my development as a football player. Now I play for them and want to please them with my success. I love my parents very much and am infinitely grateful to them for everything.

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– Maybe you have already been invited to training camp with the first team? Is Alexandria-2 trying to play by the same principles as the first team?

– Unfortunately, I haven’t had the opportunity to train with the first team yet. However, I’m doing everything to make sure Ruslan Rotan pays attention to me. If I progress, I’ll definitely get my chance. As for the playing style, we try to play with short-medium passes, just like our first team. It’s important that the Alexandria-2 players understand and are ready to play with the same style as our first team.

– Have you already set yourself the goal of debuting in the first team this season? Or is it too early to talk about it?

– Now, first of all, it is important to get more game practice in the Second League. The invaluable experience of matches among professionals will help me in the future. Time will tell, but I always set the most ambitious goals for myself.

– Is the result or individual progress the priority for your team?

– The result is important to us, but we focus on the progress of each player. I repeat that the players of Alexandria-2 should strengthen the first team in the future, and we are working on this. The individual progress of each player comes to the fore.

BLITZ

• Born in Vinnitsa
• A graduate of Premier Niva
• First coaches – Oleg Shumovitsky and Alexander Gurin
• Favorite club – Barcelona
• Favorite player – Robert Lewandowski
• Goal in football? I aim to play in the Champions League

Yaroslav Kroha