The head coach of Odesa’s Chornomorets and former defender of Donetsk Shakhtar Oleksandr Kucher spoke about what he expects from the confrontation of his former team with the Finnish Ilves in the 1st qualifying round of the Europa League.
Oleksandr Kucher. Photo — O. Popov- Oleksandr Mykolayovych, if we look at the value of the squads, then Shakhtar in the first game against Ilves does not look like a favorite, but should “sweep forward” the Finnish team. In your opinion, should we really expect a rout by the miners against the team from Tampere?
- I hope the bookmakers are right. But yes, Ilves is a team that is not known to many of us, and in terms of squad value, it significantly yields to Shakhtar, however, they are in good form, as the Finnish championship has been played for a long time (six rounds have already been played in the Veikkausliiga, Ilves has four wins, one draw and one loss, - ed.), while the UPL starts only next month (August 2).
On the other hand, Shakhtar is still getting into the season, is in the training process, having played only a couple of friendly matches. The teams are in different functional states - and this, in my opinion, is an important factor that may affect the first game in the two-legged confrontation overall.
It is also very important that there should be no underestimation of the opponent from Shakhtar’s side. Teams from Scandinavian countries always fight to the last, they lay down their bones, they have maximum dedication and athleticism.
- And they can also “park the bus in defense.”
- Yes. Most likely, Ilves will use a layered defense with three center-backs and five midfielders. Therefore, it will be important to find methods to break through this defense and to be very careful with the opponent’s counter-attacks.
- Regarding the functional state of Shakhtar players. The new head coach of the miners, Arda Turan, has taken the matter seriously and from the first days of the training camp, he has focused on fitness. I mean the training after which some players even complained that it was hard to breathe. Will the Turk overload Sudakov and the company, will he push them too hard?
- I was not surprised by the control matches of Shakhtar, because I simply did not have time for that, as I am preparing my own team for the season, so it is difficult for me to say right away, specifically and substantiated.
But I do not think that Turan has pushed the guys too hard or will push them into overload. The focus on fitness is very good. Why? Because the championship is ahead and gaining physical form through official matches is significantly more difficult and it can affect the results.
By the way, I am confident that in the first match against Ilves there will be a lot of battles focused on physicality, and in this aspect, we should not lose to the Finns - they can punish.
- And finally - a prediction for the game Shakhtar - Ilves from Oleksandr Kucher.
- A victory for Shakhtar. I won’t name the score, I hope for a good goal difference.
Viktor Glukhenky
