The legendary player and coach of Kyiv\'s Dynamo Yozhef Sabo commented on the game of Shakhtar in the match of the 3rd round of the group stage of the Champions League against Arsenal.
Yozhef Sabo— What are your impressions of the match Arsenal — Shakhtar?
— What impressions can there be! Shakhtar played very poorly: without speed and ideas. And Arsenal wasn’t even at full strength. I didn’t like the game. Yes, at the end of the match, Shakhtar attacked — probably Arsenal fell asleep, but that was not enough.
In the first half, the miners showed nothing at all, only defended, and made a lot of mistakes. In attack — 0! It was lucky that they lost minimally, and if Arsenal had played with all their strongest players, the score would have been greater.
— Shakhtar has 0 goals scored and only two shots on target in three rounds of the Champions League. What do you think is the problem?
— The problem is that we have a very weak championship, and when we play in European competitions, it shows. In the Champions League and the Europa League, it is evident that we are much weaker. There’s no escaping that.
— Who would you name as the best player of the match?
— I can’t even single anyone out. The only one who stood out was the goalkeeper Riznyk. Dmitro was the only bright spot in yesterday's game for Shakhtar. Several times he saved, took a penalty. Conceded goal? That happens, it hit him in the back from the post, he’s not to blame there.
I didn’t see Sudakov at all in the first half. In the second, he became more active, even shot at the goal, although about ten meters high. I don’t know if European clubs will buy him. I don’t see a leader on the field in this Shakhtar at all, it’s an absolutely gray team.
— Who didn’t you like in the game?
— I don’t understand why Pushych puts Sikan. He is absolutely nothing! This is not Shakhtar's level.
— Pedrinho and Kevin strengthened Shakhtar's game. Why doesn’t Pushych start them?
— It’s hard to say what the coach is guided by. I liked Pedrinho and Kevin. They moved well and created dangerous situations. We will keep an eye on them.
— Shakhtar's next match in the Champions League will be against Young Boys. Can we expect a victory there?
— It’s unlikely that Shakhtar will beat Young Boys. I don’t see any speed, one-touch play, or flank runs in the Donetsk team — absolutely nothing! What is the root of the problem, in the players or the coach? Shakhtar does not have class players. The purchased Brazilians are still young and it is not clear if they will grow.
— The classic Dynamo — Shakhtar will take place on October 27. What is your prediction for the match?
— Shakhtar needs to beat Dynamo because they are already six points behind. The miners are possibly stronger individually due to the Brazilians, while the Kyivans have an advantage in team play. I think it will still be a draw — 1:1 or 2:2. If it’s 0:0, then I won’t understand. What kind of football is this without goals?!
Andrii Piskun
