Ivan GETSKO: “The main thing for Shakhtar is not to lose to Antwerp”

On October 4, in Belgium, Shakhtar Donetsk players will play their next Champions League group round match against local Antwerp.

Former forward of the Ukrainian national team Ivan Getsko In his meeting with Sport.ua reporter, he evaluated Pitmen’s chances in tomorrow’s match:

– Recently, there have been a lot of critical arrows directed at Pitmen’s new head coach Patrick van Leeuwen, saying that Shakhtar are not the same Shakhtar anymore. But it is not the Dutchman’s fault that the Donetsk team clearly overestimated their strength. They began to see themselves as “stars” earlier and therefore, in my opinion, became less demanding. I wish them to gradually get rid of illusions. They are still far from reaching the pinnacle of sportsmanship. However, it is possible that the Pitmen’s former teammates were still impressed by Mudryk’s fantastic transfer to Chelsea, but it was clear to many that he was not worth those millions. Now the leadership of the Londoners has no choice but to console themselves with the predictions of the former “stars” of English football that Mudryk is a talent and will definitely prove himself.

– Why do you think it is becoming increasingly difficult for Shakhtar to win even in the all-Ukrainian arena?

-There is no personality. I don’t even want to think about what will happen to the Pitmen support zone when Stepanenko leaves the team. It is not eternal. Also, there are not enough players to decide the fate of the match on their own. Therefore, it is difficult to predict how the Pitmen’s next match in the UPL championship will turn out. No more games.

– Meanwhile, Shakhtar have a test in the Champions League – Antwerp, which is significantly behind the Pitmen in European Cup experience.

– It is much more important that now the level of the Belgian elite league is higher than the UPL, it is easier for the Belgians to invite quality foreign players. They are in no hurry to go to Ukraine because of Russia’s aggression. For this reason, Belgian teams are developing faster and I see Antwerp as the favorite, especially since the support of their “native wall” will be provided.

Of course, it’s good that Matvienko is back on the field after his injury, but I can’t help but worry that he’s missing a lot. I hope that tomorrow Stepanenko will prepare his partners for the final match, Zubkov will force the Belgians to think more about the rear with his raids, the helmsman will surprise with home preparation. The important thing for me is not to lose in Antwerp, then there will still be hopes for the European Cup in the spring.