Myron Markevych, a well-known Ukrainian coach and coach of Lviv's Karpaty, commented on Shakhtar Donetsk's 1-2 defeat to Spanish side Barcelona in yesterday's Champions League group stage matchday 3.
Myron Markevych. Photo - fckarpaty.org.ua- For the game against Shakhtar, Barcelona head coach Xavi fielded half of the reserves. To put it mildly, it was not the main squad that played. Without Lewandowski and at least three or four other first-team players (Frankie de Jong, Jules Kunde, Pedri, Xavi, Rafinha, Sergi Roberto missed the game - ed.)
I watch a lot of Barcelona's matches in the Spanish league, and it's a completely different level compared to what we saw in the game against Shakhtar. For Barcelona, the game against Shakhtar was like a training session with increased responsibility.
- If we talk purely about the result, it is worthy, even though we lost. And we could have even equalised in the end. But with such a defensive performance...
- We need to strengthen this link. We have to work on this component of the game, because when I talk about defence, I mean not only the Shakhtar defenders, I mean the team game. With the kind of mess that is happening in Shakhtar's defence right now, it's hard to expect a serious result.
Apart from Taras Stepanenko, no one at Shakhtar is one hundred per cent in defence.
The offence also has some work to do. The fact that Shakhtar lack a top-class forward is also evident from the matches in the Ukrainian Premier League.
- Today, almost all Shakhtar players are talking about Marino Pushic and how he changed their minds in 15 minutes.
- As for the dismissal of Patrick van Leeuwen and the appointment of Marino Pušić, I don't even know how to comment on it. I don't remember Shakhtar changing coaches like this before.
First Igor Jovicevic and now Patrick van Leeuwen. Maybe the Dutchman did not find a common language with the players. I'm not at Shakhtar, I'm not inside the club, I don't know all the processes, but it's unlikely to end well.
Now it's hard to say anything after one game, let Pushic work a little bit. Maybe he'll last a year or two (Smiles).
- What can Shakhtar really expect in the same group as Barcelona, Porto and Antwerp?
- Third place is the ceiling for Shakhtar in the Champions League group. The Europa League is a better tournament for the current Shakhtar.
- A draw in the return leg with Barcelona this week actually guarantees the Donetsk club third place, as Antwerp has gained points in this Champions League based on their results. How should the Shakhtar play in Hamburg to avoid losing again?
- Shakhtar's players need to be more brazen. And in the match in Barcelona, too. We could have beaten Barcelona if we had played more relaxed, bolder. There will be no results in the Champions League if the players are afraid.
You need to constantly enter the qualifiers and put pressure. I understand that Shakhtar have a lot of young guys now, but that's no excuse.
I repeat, without a reliable defence, Shakhtar have nothing to hope for. Especially if Barcelona arrive for the second leg with a fighting, core squad.
Viktor Glukhenkyi
