Famous Ukrainian coach Volodymyr Sharan told what he expects from the return match of the 3rd qualifying round of the Europa League between Czech side Viktoria and Kryvbas Kryvyi Rih, which will take place today in Pilsen. As a reminder, the first meeting between the rivals ended in a 1-2 defeat for the Ukrainian team.
Volodymyr Sharan- Volodymyr Bohdanovych, what were your impressions of the first game between Kryvbas and Viktoria?
- It was a positive first half because everyone understood perfectly well before the match that Victoria was the favorite, being a more experienced team, a team that has been playing in European competitions for several years, while Kryvbas came back to European competitions after a long break.
In the first half, Vernydub's team surprised me by playing better than the opponent, creating more chances, acting aggressively, and pressing. That is, they showed modern football that you want to watch. Indeed, Kryvbas showed its best qualities before the break.
In the second half, the opponents recovered, realized that Kryvyi Rih was a difficult team, and came out with a different attitude. Of course, the goal added confidence to the 16-year-old.
"Kryvbas continued to play their football, tried to attack and press more, but Victoria took advantage of their chances, because the second goal was scored after a good counterattack. Experience played a role in this game.
- Did the fact that it was the first official match of Yuriy Vernydub's team this season affect the result in the first game?
- Yes, of course. I know for myself, and other coaches can confirm this, that the first match after the offseason is very difficult. And it doesn't matter what kind of control matches the team had, and Kryvbas had a good level. A control game is one thing, but an official meeting is quite another.
If Kryvbas had played one or two rounds of the Ukrainian championship and then started in the Europa League, it would have been better. But, unfortunately, it is what it is.
We didn't have enough practice in official matches, but the game against Karpaty (0:3 - ed.) showed that it is very difficult for a team playing in European competitions. This is especially true in terms of logistics, traveling, it's not so easy.
I immediately remembered when we won the UPL bronze medal with Oleksandriya (2018/19 season - ed. ). It is very important to have an almost equal rotation. Only then can we hope for a result.
- Who do you think will be the favorite in the second game?
- Victoria will be the undisputed favorite. It's a no-brainer. If Kryvbas draws, it will be a good result. The most important thing is for the Kryvyi Rih team to show a quality game and get the necessary points for Ukraine in the UEFA coefficient rating.
I can't say that the chances are 50-50, because I think that more percentage points are in favor of the Czechs, because they will play at their home stadium.
- What is harder to endure: a crushing defeat in the Ukrainian championship or the complicated logistics of moving?
- Kryvbas will have a difficult move to Prague after a crushing defeat against Karpaty. So it will be difficult psychologically as well. But I think it's for the best that they lost to Lviv. When we played the football we wanted to play for 30 minutes, we pressed and didn't give Karpaty a chance, but then the unexpected two goals before the break "broke" the team and it looked completely different. Completely different! Now sports anger motivates the team.
Yes, fatigue is accumulating, even though the championship is starting, logistics is very important. Much also depends on the rotation, because Vernydub will think about who to put in the team for this game - in terms of which of the Kryvbas players will be physically better prepared.
- What are Kryvyi Rih's greatest strengths?
- These are aggressiveness, good pressure, physical fitness, playing on the attack, but although it is risky, you need to win back, so I think Kryvbas will not sit on the defensive.
- How will Victoria play in the return leg?
- They will press from the first minutes to open the scoring and finish the match calmly.
- What can help Kryvbas get past Viktoria?
- We need to play like we did in the first half of the first match. That's all. When we scored seven shots in the first half, we attacked, "covered" the opponent, pressed, ran out, found free zones in the opponent's formations.
- Volodymyr Sharan's prediction for the match.
- I think it will be 1-1. Kryvbas will definitely score.
Yevhen Chepur
