Patrick van Leeuwen: We must continue working hard and finally start showing results

Patrick van Leeuwen, head coach of Kryvbas Kryvyi Rih, commented on the UPL Matchday 9 home game against LNZ Cherkasy, which ended in a 0:3 defeat.

- In your opinion, what were the main reasons for conceding these goals?

- I believe we lacked attentiveness in those moments - especially during the first goal. We had worked on such scenarios in training, drawing the players' attention to where the opponents would be positioned and what movements they might make, yet we failed to react appropriately.

The second goal was a similar situation. We should have held our positions, but instead, we allowed the opponent to execute a simple pass. We are making far too many mistakes of this kind, and it’s becoming frustrating. We put in a lot of work and try to teach the players the right things, but when it comes time to step onto the pitch and deliver results, we often lack the necessary concentration.

- You made two substitutions at halftime. What did you expect from the players who came on, and what disappointed you the most?

- We made those changes because some players weren't performing as we had expected. When you bring players off the bench, you expect them to be eager to prove that you were wrong not to include them in the starting lineup. Instead, we sometimes see the exact opposite: players take the field thinking they are superior to everyone else and don't need to put in any extra effort.

That is a major disappointment. It is particularly disappointing when a player, having earned a call-up to the national team through hard work at Kryvbas, returns acting as if he has suddenly become a "star." We do face such issues, and we must address them, as this kind of attitude devalues ​​the efforts of the entire team.

- How can the team navigate this difficult situation, and what needs to change to ensure the results align with your expectations?

- Our plan remains the same: to keep working hard and finally start delivering the results that our fans and the club deserve. We are currently not where we ought to be. It is a challenging situation, but we must maintain our belief and keep working.

- The team had some strong spells during the first half. In your view, what was missing to convert your chances and secure a positive result?

- As you noted, we played well in the first half, but we made a mistake and conceded a goal. Furthermore, we lacked organization and the necessary competitive edge in the final phase of our attacks near the LNZ goal.

Media of FC "Kryvbas" Kryvyi Rih