Shakhtar defender Yukhym Konoplia commented on the defeat to Arsenal in the match of the 3rd round of the main stage of the Champions League.
Yukhym Konoplia“Of course, the first 20-25 minutes were very difficult for us because, after all, this is one of the top teams in the world, and we gradually adapted to their game, to how they press, what they do with the ball. But afterwards we showed our character, and it was precisely because of that and the desire that we managed to turn the game around a little, create a few chances, take control of the ball and the game as a whole. And we also had opportunities to score. When we adapted and got a little into the game, we got used to and understood that we could play against them, we could play our football.
It felt like the course of the game could change in our favor. In the last 20-30 minutes we took control of the ball. I think the Arsenal players felt this. This is what, perhaps, physically wore them down a bit: they are also human and can physically tire out, just like us. But thanks to our character, we managed to take control of the game and had chances, had very good opportunities to score and at least snatch a draw.
If we can play against Arsenal, a team that is competing for the championship in the strongest league in the world — and I believe they will also fight for victory in the Champions League, undoubtedly — then we should go out and play our football, showing our best qualities with every team we meet in the future,” cites Konoplia the official website of Shakhtar.
