The head coach of “Epitsentr” Sergiy Nahornyak commented on “Shakhtar’s” victory in the Ukrainian Cup and also gave a comment regarding the potential transfer of midfielder of the Donetsk team Georgiy Sudakov to Italian “Napoli”.
— Sergiy Mykolayovych, how do you evaluate the Ukrainian Cup final in which “Shakhtar” defeated “Dynamo” on penalties?
— It was a good final with intrigue. Fans witnessed the regular time of the match, extra time, and the penalty shootout. It was an even game with a minimum of scoring chances.
— Is the penalty shootout a logical conclusion to such a match?
— Probably, yes. “Shakhtar” was a bit more successful in this series of penalties. But honestly, the game was absolutely equal. Ukrainian footballers played for “Dynamo”, while in “Shakhtar” half were legionnaires.
— Serhiy Rebrov was in the stands. Did he get any answers to questions after this final?
— Perhaps, he did. He saw who played at what level. He watched the game of the national team players and candidates for the national team of Ukraine. I think he got some answers to his questions.
— As the head coach of “Epitsentr”, are you looking at your future opponents from UPL, specifically “Shakhtar” and “Dynamo”? Did you learn anything from this match?
— It is clear that playing against “Dynamo” and “Shakhtar” is always very difficult, as they are the leaders of our football. And “Shakhtar” is also a club that allows itself to buy expensive footballers. I also think that “Shakhtar” is satisfied after this victory in the Ukrainian Cup because they will be able to play in the Europa League, not in the Conference League. After the matches in the Conference League, hardly anyone can be sold. The Europa League is still a different level. It is much higher, and prestigious teams play there. In the Europa League matches, it will be easier to showcase players and sell them. The Europa League is a completely different level.
— Currently, the media is actively reporting that “Napoli” is ready to buy Georgiy Sudakov from “Shakhtar”!
— They just need to let Sudakov go.
— Do you think it would be better for the Donetsk club to sell Georgiy?
— Of course, it is better to sell. He is already mentally in Europe. He just needs to be let go. The guy needs to develop. Sudakov needs to be sold.
— And do you think “Napoli” would suit Sudakov style-wise if Antonio Conte remains the head coach?
— Any European team would suit Sudakov. He is a young guy, he is 22 years old. Georgiy needs to develop.
Dmytro Kotkov
