Ex-football player of Shakhtar Donetsk Oleksandr Sopko analyzed the first match of his former team with the Dutch Feyenoord (1:1) in the 1/8 finals of the Europa League, which took place yesterday in Warsaw.
Alexander Sopko- I expected this match with anxiety, because there are no weak opponents at this stage of European competitions, Sopko noted. — Feyenoord is the leader of the Dutch championship, and this is a sign of quality. This team plays the game well - intensively, throughout the entire 90 minutes they apply active pressure, control the ball, and create scoring chances. I liked Feyenoord, they are a very qualified team.
- On the eve of this match, a lot of talk was about Shakhtar's problems in defense, where there were significant personnel losses...
— Yes, the Pitmen were actually left without the entire line of defense. But I have a question for those Shakhtar defenders who received cards and, accordingly, suspension. If they want to play in European cups, and this is a showcase of club football, then they should not receive such cards, they should not take such ill-considered steps as in previous matches, they should not lose discipline in matches of this level, succumb to emotions. So, let them think... All this, of course, complicated the game for Shakhtar, which is why the preparation for the meeting with Feyenoord was so alarming.
— What did Shakhtar manage to do in this game, despite all the difficulties?
- We saw very high-quality coaching work. The tactical training of the team was noticeable, the Pitmen acted compactly, from defense, and this could bring victory. Yes, the game is not very good. But, let me remind you that even top clubs do not shun defensive football. Recently, Barcelona surprised everyone with this - in the match against Real Madrid, and this gave a result.
The way Shakhtar played against Feyenoord is the only key to success. First of all, the organization of the game and discipline, but the Pitmen tried to quickly go on the attack. True, the opponent did not allow effective use of such transitions.
- In what areas of the field did the Jovicevich team have significant problems?
- In the center of defense, despite expectations, things were better than on the flanks. Taylor showed the maximum he was capable of, but it was not very... At the beginning of the match, I was pleasantly surprised by Topalov's game, but when he got tired, cuts immediately appeared. As far as I noticed, it was Topalov who lost the ball on the flank, after which the opponent’s rapid breakthrough began, a pass into the penalty area, and a goal was scored against Trubin.
- How do you like football performed by Rakitsky?
- We saw Rakitsky, who played the same as five years ago. I was pleasantly surprised by Yaroslav's performance. Everything is like in the best years - confidence, reading the game, maintaining a balance between defensive and attacking actions, that is, timely transfer of the ball forward. Now most defenders don’t have this... Rakytskyy has demonstrated class and, on the one hand, I’m happy for him, and on the other hand, at 33, he is outperforming young guys who should already show something like that. In general, I want to note that the game of Rakitskiy and Trubin in the match with Feyenoord is top!
- Rakitsky also scored an incredible goal. Was it a prepared shot or did it just work out so well for Shakhtar?
- This is Yaroslav's unconscious action. There was a low pass into the opponent's penalty area and Rakytskyy first wanted to hit with the back of the head, but this did not happen, and the ball hit the back, from which it flew into the Feyenoord frame.
It was a very insidious blow for the goalkeeper... However, this happens in football. Curious, of course, a goal. But Rakitskiy still needs to be noted for being at the right point, and the whole team for moving forward and earning a corner. Shakhtar's goal is the result of an attack, everything is deserved.
— To what extent can the same be said about Feyenoord's goal?
- Exactly the same. Interestingly, the Netherlands scored in a situation where there was no special pressure on Shakhtar's defense... As I said, there was a simple cut on the flank, a good pass went to the Pitmen's goal, and "did not have time to reorganize.
- What did the substitutions that Jovićević made during the match give?
- In the current Shakhtar, substitutions are a headache for the coach. The Pitmen do not have equivalent performers in reserve. From those players who come on as a substitute, I want to see not only the retention of the score, but also the strengthening of the game, some unexpected moves. Unfortunately, so far Shakhtar does not have even 20 players of equal value. The main performers and reservists have different degrees of readiness. Look at the same Taylor and Topalov, and also at Kryskiv, who started his performances for Shakhtar well, then he had a pause, after which it is already difficult for him, and he does not have time, loses the fight and makes passes unsuccessfully.
— Is a decline in the game of the Pitmen, who actively resumed the season in mid-February, expected?
- There are no signs of this. Shakhtar did not speed up preparations. She walked more on a psychological level. The club sold Mudrik very successfully - due to a successful game just in European competitions. Therefore, the preparation for the matches with Rennes and Feyenoord was largely psychological, motivational. By the way, in the Ukrainian championship, all this brought the maximum result. Such a calendar and such opponents are worth their weight in gold for Shakhtar so far!
- How can you evaluate this result - 1:1? Doesn't it mean that in the return match, the teams, in fact, will start all over again?
- This is true. Everything will be all over again... Moreover, I think that the game in Rotterdam will be the same. Of course, there will be changes in the Shakhtar squad, especially in defense. But he does not exclude the option when the coach leaves the same pair of performers in the center of defense. Rakitskiy proved that he is a "basics" player. But there will be changes on the flanks, no doubt.
In terms of the quality of the game, Feyenoord is better than Shakhtar. The team from Rotterdam is more solid, more playful. In addition, Shakhtar will face a difficult match against Kryvbas.
Oleg Semenchenko
