Serhii Shyshchenko: Kryvbas has physically powerful players in defense

Serhii Shyshchenko, head coach of Bukovyna Chernivtsi, commented on the UPL Matchday 10 home game against Kryvbas Kryvyi Rih, which ended in a 0:0 draw.

- Serhii Yuriyovych, how would you sum up the match against Kryvbas? Are you satisfied with the team's performance and the result?

- We took the field with the intention of securing three points. At the same time, the change of head coach at Kryvbas meant we had to adjust our preparations. We initially began our work anticipating one style of play from the opponent, but then had to account for the various tactical options that Oleksandr Petrakov might introduce. Despite this, the team worked very well throughout the week.

We managed to implement some of our tactical plans on the pitch, particularly in our positional attacks. However, we lacked a cutting edge in the final third. We created a few good chances but failed to convert them. Therefore, a draw is not enough for us; we need to pick up more points and improve our standing in the table.

- How did you manage to help the team recover psychologically following the defeat to Kudrivka and prepare them for this match?

- After that game, the players needed time to recover and process their emotions. I asked them to revisit the match analysis calmly, without unnecessary distress. Upon reviewing the footage, I felt that, in terms of the actual play, we were on par with our opponents - and even held the advantage in certain aspects. However, our own mistakes proved too costly; we gave the opposition four opportunities to punish us, and they took full advantage.

Naturally, the result was a major disappointment for the team. After a brief rest, we focused on preparing for the match against Kryvbas, fully aware that a tough challenge lay ahead. The lads approached it with a sense of responsibility and, by and large, carried out the assigned tasks. We were aiming for a win, but this time, we couldn't quite secure it.

- Kozhushko and Hrusha came off the bench and noticeably livened up the attack. What was the reasoning behind your starting lineup selection?

- We based our decisions on the opponent's characteristics. Kryvbas has physically imposing players in defense; furthermore, given their recent coaching change, we anticipated that they might play more cautiously and adopt a counter-attacking approach. That’s why we decided to start with Kravchuk as the focal point of the attack - we needed someone capable of engaging in physical duels and holding up the ball. We also expected fewer open spaces compared to the previous manager's tenure. As the match unfolded, it became clear that the opposition was keeping three players back, which really limited the space available for our attacking moves.

As for Klepac, he had performed well in training. He is a technical player with a strong tactical understanding - he knows how to find pockets of space between the lines and help the team maintain possession. We planned for Kozhushko and Hrusha to inject speed and energy at the right moment. Once they came on, the team’s attacking play certainly became sharper. Perhaps not everything we planned worked out exactly as we had hoped, but this was the game plan we chose, taking the opponent's strengths into account.

Media of FC "Kryvbas" Kryvyi Rih