Patrick van Leeuwen: Pleased with the team's performance, the guys worked with great enthusiasm

The head coach of Kryvyi Rih Kryvbas Patrick van Leeuwen commented on the away draw with Donetsk Shakhtar - 2:2 in the 14th round of the UPL.

- A nervous and spectacular match ended in a draw. Are you satisfied with the result and the team's play?

- Yes, I am really satisfied with the team's performance today. The guys worked with great enthusiasm. One of our key tasks was to act as a single unit: organized in defense and without losing our strong qualities, because we understood well how strong the opponent was. I am very happy with both the result and the way the team showed itself on the field.

- For the second match in a row, captain Maksym Zaderaka opens the score. Was that your attitude: to start the game actively?

- Yes. We really had the attitude to start the match actively and create chances from the first minutes, that's exactly what we expected from the team. Today, the defensive line acted very disciplined and aggressively switched to attack. Maksym Zaderaka is a player who constantly demonstrates results. He looked for his chance, found it and confidently implemented it.

- Today, Volodymyr Vilivald scored his debut goal for Kryvbas. How can you comment on this episode and his actions at the moment?

- Vilivald's goal was just a matter of time. We expected that we would have chances after corners, and that's exactly what happened, Volodymyr was in the right place and confidently completed the attack. I remember well Konate's reaction when he, in turn, scored his debut goal in a similar situation: it gave him a great boost, motivation and confidence in his own abilities.

- In the second half, the fight continued. What did you say to the guys during the break?

- We showed the guys their transitions to attack and the episodes that the team created thanks to a reliable defensive game. I think we could have scored another goal in the first half. So the main focus was on making better use of our chances.

- We scored twice today, one goal was disallowed. How satisfied are you with the defense's work in general?

- Well, if we talk about the defense, they did a good job. I think that in the case of standards, it all depends on who is in that zone - a tall or a short player. So yes, we need to look at how exactly it happened and what we can improve. After all, if we hadn't broken the rules and acted differently in defense, we wouldn't have gotten that penalty and won.

- During the match, there was a conflict between the bench teams. What happened?

- Yes, this is not the first time that conflicts have occurred between coaching staffs, but I believe that all these emotions should be on the football field, not off it.

- You worked for Shakhtar before. Was this game special for you?

- Yes, of course, it is a special game, but I want to say that I am more focused on the fact that we lost a lot of points in the previous games. And for me the most important thing is that we were able to get one point in this match. Yes, I had a story with Shakhtar, a happy story, but it is over, and I am happy that I am now working in Kryvbas.

- Mendoza did not play today. What is the reason?

- He was injured and did not train with the team for a whole week. We have to see how he recovers and what will happen next.

- There are rumors that other clubs are interested in Mendoza...

- I do not know anything about interest from other clubs. Therefore, I will not comment on it. You should talk to the Club managers about it.

Media of FC "Kryvbas" Kryvyi Rih