Yuriy Vernydub: We looked a decent team

18-04-15 22:35:25

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Post-match press conference by the head coach of Zorya Luhansk.

- In the first half we looked a decent team, and in the second too. Even when we conceded the second goal ... I think the sliding tackle, after which the ref pointed to the spot, was unnecessary. That episode affected our performance. It is clear that later on it was difficult to level it, so we lost. Worthy opponents, just needless to say. For our team, the loss of four key players was noticeable. Although the guys who replaced them, looked decent. We lost, but that's okay. We need to quickly forget it and move on.

- You very actively appealed to the ref after the first goal conceded ...
- According to my stopwatch, we played for extra 40 seconds in the first half. Well, they took a free kick, we cleared it – he could blow for the break just then. Why was it necessary to let them play on? The lads were also wrong in a way, as they didn’t play until the end of that episode. No worries, I’m just emotional.

- How is Zeljko Ljubenovic?
- He complained about the adductor muscle, so I did not risk it. God grant that there was nothing serious. I hope he will be back to the ranks by the match vs Hoverla.

- What do you make of the performance of the players who came on for Malyshev and Malinovskyi in midfield?
- Of course, we felt the absence of those players. Oleksandr Hrytsai did well, but then it became clear that I had to make a substitution, - since they began to give the midfield away completely. Ihor Tchaikovskyi also ‘got stuffed’, as he hadn’t had enough match practice. Maksym Bilyi played the match well enough. Yarmash did well either. Today we had 17 instead of 18 players on the list. I didn’t add the boys from the reserve team squad. Particularly since Kalinin who I was relying upon, got injured, I just wanted to give him a chance. Unfortunately, his injury let us down.

- Did you cheer up the team in the dressing room after the match? After all, in fact, the intrigue was still there until 70 minutes.
- We are all men, professionals, we should take the heat. It's disappointing that the scoreline is 1-4, though we looked decent. Had they awarded a penalty on Lukyanov at 1-0, then, perhaps, it would have been different. In my opinion, there was a foul in that episode. Maybe I'm wrong, but that’s my opinion. I hope that the great experts who analyze every game, will tell us everything.

- What do you make of the keeper’s performance today?
- I think he looked quite decent. He nearly palmed away the ball, after which the opponents equalized. Well, penalty case is penalty case ... In the first half, there were many moments, in which he rescued the team. We’ve got another very decent goalkeeper. Competition in this line will further increase.

FC Shakhtar