Former Shakhtar footballer Oleksandr Sopko expressed his thoughts on the game of the Donetsk team in a commentary for UPL TV.
Oleksandr Sopko. Photo: V. Perehniak- Shakhtar's matches cause anxiety and some disappointment. There is also an understanding that something needs to be done as soon as possible. After all, there are all the signs of a crisis in the team. This includes the loss of the game tone of most players and a drop in their skill level. This is also the work in defence - team and individual. This is a weak functional readiness - the team cannot maintain a high pace and intensity during matches.
- And what about coaching?
- There are also problems with team management. This is evidenced by regular unnecessary red cards and problems with game discipline, sometimes incomprehensible tactical ideas and substitutions. Also, the absence of a coach in the technical area in almost all matches, with the exception of the game against Vorskla. Players need to feel the coach on the pitch. In Jovicevic's case, on the contrary, perhaps this was his strongest quality.
- Who is to blame for what is happening?
- The club has changed the vector and the football philosophy itself. The football that the team has been playing in recent years since Kashtru's time was football that had no prospects. "Standing" football with control of the ball and rest during games, playing virtually no chances, no sharpness and, most importantly, no emotions that the fans need. This kind of football is not only unattractive, it has become a thing of the past.
- How does this affect the players' progress?
- When young footballers are forced to play such "veteran" football with control for the sake of control, instead of accelerating the game - holding it back, passing back to the goalkeeper - it does not contribute to progress. Football intelligence is levelled with such a schematic and simple game. Even though last season it led to the championship and a successful performance in European competitions.
- How did Jovetic manage to do it?
- There is a saying: "Don't fix what works". He did just that. There was a result, there was no game, but there were no prospects for further development in terms of the game.
