The former defender of «Shakhtar», Oleksandr Kucher, named the reasons for the defeat of the Donetsk team by «Bayern» (1:5) in the Champions League match.
— What is your aftertaste from the match between «Shakhtar» and «Bayern»?
— I am upset. The start of the meeting was promising. But the class and strength of «Bayern» prevailed. In the end, one could say that the Munich team did what they wanted.
— Did «Shakhtar» awaken the beast when they scored the first goal?
— No, I don’t think that they awakened the beast. We saw that «Bayern» immediately began to press high. «Shakhtar» broke out of the press and scored a quick goal. They could have developed this success further, there was a moment for it. Yes, «Bayern» sat at the goal of «Shakhtar», created moments, but we had counter-attacks. If Sudakov had scored, we would have gone to the break with an advantage, and in the second half we could have continued to counter-attack. But the Munich team scored and continued to press. «Bayern» pushed forward with great numbers but controlled the counter-attacks from «Shakhtar». And with a score of 2:1 in favor of the miners, one could have risked. But we didn’t score. As always happens — if you don’t score, they score against you.
— How did «Shakhtar» need to act after scoring the goal? Should they have closed up even more?
— We saw that they were closing up anyway, playing defensively, and it was tough. One player from «Bayern» calmly outplayed two or three opponents. The Germans pressed very hard. «Shakhtar» had a tough time, but moments still occurred.
— «Bayern» scored the second goal after Marlon Gomez's mistake, whom Pusic replaced at halftime. Is this a punishment?
— I don’t think it was punishment. He worked hard and, perhaps, was just tired. In the midfield, it was difficult for him; Marlon performed a large amount of work and helped defensively. If we consider he was replaced for a mistake, then why did Kevin continue playing? He went dribbling on his half of the field, outplayed two, but lost the ball, and «Bayern» immediately scored. If we evaluate each goal, we have five substitutions that could have been made after every conceded one. But I don’t think it will create a good atmosphere in the team.
— Gram also made mistakes, having played very little this season, but Pusic decided to throw him in against «Bayern».
— For me, this was surprising. Honestly, I was very surprised. We rarely see him in the lineup, and here he was released. I can’t say he played poorly, but there were mistakes. I don’t understand why Pusic made that choice. Pedro Enrique missed the match due to suspension, and perhaps the coach could not find another solution. Gram was later moved to the center, while Matviyenko went to play on the left. But he was immediately put under such an opponent… It was hard for him because he does not have game rhythm. Most of his passes were given to Riznyk...
— How do you assess the episode with the penalty?
— It could have not been awarded. There was a shot, but Gram was rolling into the opponent out of inertia. Such penalties could be given a million in every game. A footballer shoots, someone cuts in, and that’s it. An incomprehensible episode for me.
— Does «Shakhtar» have chances for the playoffs?
— Getting there will be very difficult. Ahead are «Brest» and «Borussia» D. With «Bayern», we have already felt the might of the German machine. We need to win twice to advance. Wins and draws will not be enough; we need to score 10 points.
Andrii Pavlechko