LNZ midfielder Gennady Pasich commented on his team’s crushing victory over Donetsk’s “Shakhtar” (4:1) in yesterday’s match of the 8th round of the Ukrainian championship.
Gennady Pasich. Photo — FC LNZ— First of all, during the preparation for the match, we focused on motivational aspects. Our coach Vitaly Ponomarev motivated us to believe that we could not only compete equally with the “miners” but also win. It was also important to complicate the nominal hosts' ball control through intensity, and in the transitional phase, thanks to tackles and recoveries, to create conditions for counterattacks.
Of course, it was also taken into account that the “miners” would not be in optimal physical condition after returning from the European cup match in Scotland. Logistics creates certain difficulties. Especially since “Shakhtar” has quite a short bench.
— When did you believe that the game at “Arena Lviv” was going according to LNZ’s script?
— After Kuzik’s quick goal (in the 13th minute of the match, — ed.). It seemed that, although we played with five defenders, the players of the Donetsk team were not always ready for their intensity. The main thing was to act in unison and not give the initiative to the opponent.
— Perhaps the confidence came when you realized you would achieve your goal after the score became 2:0 in the middle of the second half?
— No, only after Ryabov scored the third goal (in the 71st minute of the match, — ed.). Although, when Nazarin reduced the deficit at the end of the match, we did get a bit nervous. After all, LNZ had never managed to beat “Shakhtar” before. It was very much hoped, as they say, that the ice would break.
— Score of the game?
— Yes. This season, we have often been let down by our finishing, which is why we lost points. This time, finally, it paid off.
Andrey Pisarenko
