Head coach of Shakhtar Donetsk Marino Pusic summarized the results of his team's 0-3 match with Italian side Atalanta in the 2nd round of the Champions League main stage.
"A very difficult match. We faced a team that, for me, is one of the best in Europe in terms of the game. This is a physically very strong and experienced team. However, I believe that in the first 20 minutes we had several promising situations to do more than we could. We tried to score. You need to score if you want to win. But we couldn't. In the second half we had many more better and more promising situations than in the first half. I think we could have done more in those situations, but we didn't.
Unfortunately, there is a noticeable difference in the level. We missed our chance, the opponents scored 30 seconds later. They punish for every situation we allow them. You need to know that it is very difficult to face a team with such amazing players, their specific way of playing one-on-one, strong physical qualities. We really tried everything: short attacks with some combinations, long attacks, we created several situations. I can't blame my team for anything.
We really tried everything, but, as I said, there is a difference in some physical indicators when you can't constantly respond. Yes, it was like a visit to the dentist. It's very hard to play against them. We were not the only ones who felt it that evening. You can recall Bayer's experience in the Europa League final, even Real Madrid had difficulties with them in the Super Cup. So we have to be realistic as a team, and we are. This evening we tried everything, we also tried to play. In the second half, we worked well with the ball, we started the first 20 minutes of the first half quite well. It was a bit too much for us, to be honest. This opponent was too big and skillful for us. We did everything in the first half, we did everything in the second half, but it just wasn't enough against such an opponent," said Pušić.