Antoni Mascaro: Today was not our best day in terms of quality of play
Comments after the match of the 28th round of the National League U-19 2025\2026 "Veres" U-19 - "Kryvbas" U-19 - 3:1.
Antoni Mascaro, head coach of FC "Kryvbas" U-19:
- I think we played a good match overall. In the first half, in the first 30 minutes, we didn't enter the game the way we wanted. We knew that this is a very intense team. It is incredibly difficult to act against them, because if you go into high pressure, they play one-on-one until the last line. If you stay behind, they know how to translate the vector of attack, reach the flanks and make high passes. That is, we knew this, but still we didn't enter the game in the best way.
This is true, regarding the first 30 minutes. But after that, I think, thanks to the goal from the set piece, the guys got a charge of energy, and started to play better. In the second half, I think the game evened out, it was tight. We had some chances, but in the end the opponent was still better than us. There's nothing you can do, congratulations to Veres U-19. I think they played better than us and deserved this victory.
Overall, our guys did a good job. I think today wasn't our best day in terms of the quality of the game, in terms of making the right decisions and finding individual solutions. But that's only one side of the coin. Another thing is the mood, dedication and intensity of the players; everything was 100%. And that's the only thing I can demand from the team. I can't ask them to play perfect matches every day, always make the best decisions or show the best version of themselves every time.
So, that's on the one hand. And on the other hand, I think we lacked exactly what I already mentioned. A little better positioning in the last third of the field, as well as the ability to win more second goals on rebounds. It seems to me that the opponent won the whole fight after long passes, and when the ball went down for a rebound, we ended up in the wrong place. We acted too timidly.
Oleksandr Hladkov, midfielder of FC Kryvbas U-19:
- An emotional game. Our team played well overall, but lost. I am very upset. This was a fundamental match for us, because all matches against Veres are held in an uncompromising fight. Unfortunately, this time the opponent managed to win. Well, all that remains is to sort out the mistakes and move on. There are two more games before the end of the season.
Media of FC "Kryvbas" Kryvyi Rih