The former player of the Ukrainian national team Oleg Shelaev assessed the game of Donetsk «Shakhtar» in the match against the French «Brest» (2:0) in the 7th round of the main stage of the Champions League.
Oleg Shelaev. Photo — fcdnister.com— I expected a tough game and a draw in the end, — noted Shelaev. – But, it seems that at the gathering there was «Brest», not «Shakhtar». The team spirit of the «miners» left a very pleasant impression.
From my own experience, I can say: one can easily regain form at a gathering if desired. I mean physical condition. However, more importantly for me is to regain playing form. It is also essential to correctly select the lineup, determining the players who are currently in the best condition. «Shakhtar» had all the conditions created for preparation. Both the club and the entire team approached the matter professionally.
— Did the error of the «Brest» player in the 18th minute determine the character of the match?
— Yes, that was a serious technical mistake. However, the fate of the episode partially depended on how Kevin would take advantage of that mistake. I want to note that even if the «miners» hadn’t scored before halftime, the game was heading toward success for «Shakhtar» in the end. Pushich's team pressed very effectively and took the ball away, and «Brest» had no chances.
— Was there a penalty against the French team?
— In my opinion, no. Both the «Brest» goalkeeper and Azarov realized that they would not reach the ball in time. The goalkeeper pulled his legs back, and the collision occurred by inertia. However, the referee confidently pointed to the «spot» right away, and almost no one disputed it. Formally, the referee had the right to such a perspective.
— In the second half, did «Shakhtar» play according to the score?
— Certainly. As for «Brest»'s activation after the break, any team trailing 0:2 will increase the pace and take risks, hurrying. «Shakhtar» started to play defensively, trying to catch the opponent on counterattacks. But after the substitutions and Eginhaldo's injury, the «miners»' attacks lost their sharpness. It is important that during this period «Shakhtar» did not allow the opponents to create anything.
— So, to sum up, was it that «Brest» was that weak, or «Shakhtar» strong?
— «Brest» was unconvincing, and I really did not like the football they played. «Shakhtar» was quality in everything — in the game with the ball and without it, so everything is logical. Such a performance from the «miners» deserves total respect.
— What to expect from the next match of «Shakhtar» in the Champions League — against «Borussia» (Dortmund)?
— Everything is possible… A lot depends on how the entire team recovers, whether Eginhaldo returns to shape or not. On what the opponent will need in the final round, on the situation in the league table. But there is no doubt — «Shakhtar» will need only a victory.
Oleg Semenchenko
