Pusic: We have to be perfect against Arsenal

Press conference of head coach of Shakhtar Marino Pusic before the Champions League game against Arsenal.

– Ukrainian clubs sadly have a bad luck in meetings with English teams – 33 games and they have not won a single one. Do you think that tomorrow’s 34th match can break this pattern?
– We hope so. It is not only about bad luck: you have to realise that there is a tremendous difference in the quality of two leagues, so it is very difficult for the Ukrainian club to compete at this level. This is a great challenge. We will do our best tomorrow, like we always do. You can never know for sure – it is only one game. And in this game we need to be perfect to get a result. We realise that and will go for it.

– On Saturday, Bournemouth broke a long winning streak of Arsenal. Are you not worried that due to that Arsenal will be hungrier for victory tomorrow?
– Yes, they were unbeaten for quite a long period, and it speaks of the quality of the team. When you compete for the first place for three or four years, for me, in the best league in the world, like Arsenal does, then your club is one of the best in the world. But with every new opponent, with every next team, you can lose – even if you are as strong as Arsenal. And the longer this streak lasts, the more chances there are to lose. It is logical. Of course, it does not tell the whole story, because a game is a game. They received an early red card, and it is pretty difficult to play 60–65 minutes in the minority. But it shows the strength of Arsenal. To be unbeaten for such a long period means that you are a very good team.

– Will there be any tactical changes on your part compared to the previous matches of the Champions League? And do you plan to make a closer defensive line in tomorrow’s game?
– Every match has its own story, every opponent has its own story. So everything is different every time. Of course, we have our strategy and game plan. Like I said, sometimes this is not enough. There are many circumstances that affect the result. We have to be almost perfect to get a result against this team, and we realise that. But we are here to compete. We will demonstrate our game like we always do, and we will follow our philosophy. And this philosophy will never change as long as I am a coach of Shakhtar. Maybe, some details will be different, but my goal is to win. We always play to win, we do not play to lose. If our opponent is much better than us and forces us to defend, of course, we will have to defend. It is normal and logical. But we are here to compete.

– The team had a difficult trip. How do you rate readiness to the game?
– This is a fact. We face these... I would not even call them problems. Generally, it is amazing how we have to travel to these away matches. Actually, I have to say, that we play all matches away – let’s start with that, unfortunately. Yes, we travelled for 13 hours: it was a very difficult trip, which takes a lot of time and energy. At the same time, we are a very motivated team, and we are mentally ready. So, despite all these circumstances, we did not come here to complain. It is just a fact that we, unfortunately, face all the time. I think we are the only club in the world at this level that faces such circumstances. It does not make it easier for us, but, like I said, we are a team that came here to compete, not to complain. And we play football.

– The rumours have linked Heorhii Sudakov with a lot of EPL clubs recently. Do you think that tomorrow will be the big match for him and he will show his best game on the pitch?
– I understand this part, because he is a great talent, an amazing player, so it is quite logical for me that many clubs are interested in him, but tomorrow will not be his game, it is our game. Like I always say, an individual player can be at a good level only if the team is at a good level, so an individual player does not make a team better, the team make a player better. So, it is not only about Sudakov, it is about all of us. And I hope that if they all get into the game well, they will show their individual qualities and prove themselves. And I can say about Sudakov that it is not only about his qualities as a football player, but also about his mentality, the way he works, his function in the team – this makes him special for me.

– Have you spoken to your friend Arne Slot ahead of this weekend, since Liverpool also played on Sunday?
– We communicate frequently, and it is normal, of course, because we worked together very pleasantly and successfully for five years. We are close friends, and I am very happy for him and the rest of the coaching staff doing a tremendous job. I did not doubt Liverpool, but it is very nice to see them again. And I am very happy about that.

– With the history of the club in the last 10 years, these travels for matches: how special would it be for the fans to get a positive result here?
– It would be special, of course – no doubts about that. That is why, like I said, despite all the problems that we face on a daily basis, we came here to play and show themselves. We will do our best to get a result in tomorrow’s game. It is the most important for me – to play our football, like we always do, following our philosophy. I cannot ask my players to win, it would be very easy, everyone can do this, but I want to see certain elements of the game to show who we are, to show our philosophy and our identity. Is it going to lead us to the result? We will see tomorrow when we will show our game.