Jovicevic: First Minaj, and then we will think about Celtic

Added at:
another languages: uk ru

Shakhtar head coach Igor Jovicevic analyzed the match against Kolos (3-0).

– Shakhtar has a busy calendar, and today there was a rotation of the squad. Are you satisfied with the way the players showed themselves?
– We have to take into account a busy schedule, but we have a fairly large roster of players who are able to solve problems in every match. We consider the opponent's profile and then choose a squad, dose substitutions and loads. Overall, it turned out to be a tense match. We expected a tough game and so it happened. There were problems at the beginning of the first half when not everything worked out the way we intended. However, some adjustments during the break helped. In the second half, we dominated, controlled the game and I think we fully deserved that win. We could have scored a few more goals. The players who entered the rotation today appeared in the second half. They all felt that it was important, that this was a team that goes step by step, fulfilling their tasks. Plus, Dnipro-1 played a draw, which gives us confidence in the struggle for the first place. This is the position we want to be on, and these are the ambitions we do not hide. For that, we must have the right mentality, improve our abilities and work every day to be on a high note. We can say that this is a very important victory, but it was earned and tense. The opponent is strong in defense and misses little, but we played a good match today and deservedly won.

– When can we expect the return of Marian Shved?
– High hopes that tomorrow he will train with the team. His adductor muscle no longer bothers him – this is the first day, yesterday and today it ceased to bother him even in case of direction change. And it makes me happy as a coach, because I understand perfectly well how important he is to our team. His winger characteristics, which are very uncomfortable for any lateral, and his diversity in the attack phase are currently very lacking. The team needs such highly qualified players in every match, so we look forward to his return. I think he will be in the general group the day after tomorrow. Let's see if he can play a certain period of time against Minaj in order to fully prepare for Celtic.

– How do you plan to set up the team for the match with Celtic?
– You know, we have to respect every opponent who opposes us. I think Minaj deserves complete respect. Moreover, we see that they have good results now: they played well against Dynamo. We play on the road, so we will see what the field will be. And, of course, after such a busy schedule, there is a certain fatigue. However, as I said, champions should have this mentality: forget about everything, project success in their heads, and move on. So we don't even think about Celtic – we think about Minaj, about how to beat them and be in the standings where we want, where we deserve to be and what we work for. First Minaj, and then we will think about other games.

another languages: uk ru

Sport News RSS - Sport News - Terrikon

24 April

14:40
End of an Era: Leicester City Legend Jamie Vardy Announces Departure
11:11
Copa Libertadores: Goalkeeping Howler Sinks Botafogo, River Plate Rescue a Point
10:09
Juventus Stumble Again — Shock Defeat to Parma Puts UCL Hopes in Jeopardy
08:51
Madrid Keep Pressure on Barcelona Ahead of El Clásico Showdown
08:37
AC Milan Humiliate Inter to Reach Coppa Italia Final in Style
08:20
Arsenal Slip Again — Liverpool One Step Away From Premier League Glory

23 April

17:09
Barcelona Secure Hansi Flick's Future Until 2027
10:49
Copa Libertadores: Internacional Pull Off Stunning 3-Goal Comeback & Highlights from Matchday 3
08:59
Valencia and Espanyol Share the Points in Relegation Six-Pointer
08:44
Barcelona Fire 40 Shots But Settle for Narrow Win Over Mallorca
08:28
PSG Drop Points Against Relegation-Battling Nantes
08:13
City Snatch Late Victory Over Aston Villa to Climb to Third

22 April

14:40
Manchester United Eye Double Real Madrid Raid: Lunin and Tchouaméni for €100 Million
08:37
Girona's Freefall Continues as Relegation Fears Grow
08:19
Nottingham Forest Bounce Back to Third After Win Over Tottenham

21 April

23:13
Leeds United and Burnley Seal Return to the Premier League
12:17
Serie A Matches Postponed Following the Death of Pope Francis
08:36
Atalanta Edge Out Lacklustre AC Milan
08:19
Federico Valverde's Last-Minute Stunner Saves Real Madrid Against Athletic Bilbao

20 April

22:33
Bayern on Brink of Bundesliga Title After Bayer Drop Points Again
21:42
Oscar Piastri Beats Verstappen to Take Formula 1 Championship Lead
21:05
Serie A Title Race Heats Up as Inter Fall to Bologna
20:42
Alexander-Arnold's Fairytale Return Puts Liverpool on Title's Doorstep
18:45
Arsenal Crush Ipswich to Stay in Premier League Title Race
18:27
Manchester United Slip Again as In-Form Wolves Make History