Sergiy Krivtsov: “At least at Euro-2020 the task is to leave the group”

20.01.2020 14:00

Photo by Pavlo Kubanov

Defender of Donetsk Shakhtar and the national team of Ukraine Serhiy Kryvtsov told the UAF official website about the holiday, the results of last season, the most memorable match in the qualification for Euro 2020 and the tasks set by the blue-yellows in the final part of the tournament.

— Serhiy, Shakhtar is already on leave. Did you have time to rest and reboot?

- Yes, we had a good rest with the family. The holiday was divided into two parts. At first we were in warm places, at sea, and after the New Year we spent time in London.

— Was it possible to get acquainted with the capital of Great Britain?

- Yes, this time there was more than enough time. When I came there with the team, there was no time for excursions. Now everyone looked calmly. I liked it.

— Didn't they meet Andriy Yarmolenko or Andriy Shevchenko in London?

- It was on January 2 that we met with Andriy Yarmolenko. We had dinner, talked in a friendly circle, and the next day he already had a rehabilitation program.

Photo by Pavlo Kubanov

— How did you remember last year?

- I think he was generally positive, despite the fact that Shakhtar and I failed to make it to the Champions League playoffs. Although in another tournament, but we continue to fight in the European Cups. Last year we became the champions of Ukraine and won the Cup, now we are also in the lead in the championship and have a good chance for gold. Therefore, in my opinion, the pros were still more than the cons.

— Matches of the national team in the selection of Euro 2020 - special emotions?

- Yes, let's not forget that before that we won a group in the League of Nations. The exit to the final part of Euro 2020 has also become memorable.

— Which match do you consider the best for the national team in 2019?

- All the matches were good, but emotionally, of course, there is a separate home game with the Portuguese national team. He would also single out an away match against Manchester City for Shakhtar. We also beat Dynamo in a penalty shootout in the quarterfinals of the Cup, when the game ended in a draw - 1: 1.

Photo by Pavlo Kubanov

— Was there a game you don't want to mention?

- So far there is a residue from the last match in the Champions League - against Atalanta. It is a pity that they could not win and move on.

— What did the Miners lack in this Super League?

- This is a difficult tournament. Each match must be held at the limit of its capabilities. Maybe somewhere there was not enough luck, somewhere something did not work out. Probably, we really wanted to succeed in the group round, we were overwhelmed, and this excitement affected the game.

— Shakhtar has a meeting ahead. Who has a greater load — Fonseca or Castro?

- Luis Castro and I have only held a summer meeting so far. I think his workload is not less than in Paulo. Now there will be a winter meeting, let's look and compare. It's nice that modern coaches do not rely on a large number of tests and "physique". The main load goes through game exercises and control matches.

— Shakhtar has its first official spring match — against Benfica in Kharkiv. How were the results of the draw in the Europa League perceived?

- The reaction is normal. We got a worthy opponent. "Benfica" is on the rise, the team plays attacking football, has strengthened its lineup with several players. I think that our coaching staff is already well acquainted with Benfica's game, but will soon study it even better and tell us how to act against this opponent.

— Is the first match at home a plus or a minus for Shakhtar?

- The result of the two-round duel will show whether it is good or bad to play the first match away. Whoever shows himself better in the sum of two meetings will go further.

— Will a 14-point break from Dynamo allow the Pitmen to pass the spring part without any difficulties in the Ukrainian championship?

- We will play until the end, no matter what the distance from Dynamo. Let's relax only when Kyiv will not even have a mathematical chance to catch up with Shakhtar. There are still plenty of matches ahead, and once the teams split into sixes, the games will be more difficult and serious. Therefore, it will not be easy to get gold. In the spring, fans will have interesting competitions.

— Will it be possible to switch to the final part of the European Championship immediately after the Ukrainian Championship?

- Yes, I think there will be no problems. I am convinced that we will have enough strength and emotions. We will have time to both rest and prepare for the Euro. The national team of Ukraine has a professional coaching staff, with experience, and I am sure that the coaches will make such a program that will allow us to approach the games at the European Championship fresh.

— What can you say about the Netherlands and Austria - rivals for Euro 2020?

- There will be no weak national teams for the Euro. The same Romanians, Kosovars or Georgians who could become our third opponent in the group will also bite.

— What is the task for Ukraine to face the Euro?

- Of course, the minimum task is to leave the group, and we'll see. We will try to move as far as possible in the tournament grid.