Yehor Tverdokhlib: Patrick van Leeuwen gave me confidence from the first days

Midfielder of Kryvyi Rih "Kryvbas" Yehor Tverdokhlib became a guest of the TV project Football 360 on the UPL TV channel. Yegor talked with the hosts and answered many different questions. The most relevant moments of the meeting are for your attention.

About the nickname Hardbread and my own Telegram channel

- Hardbread is just a translation of my last name. Once, the administrator in the team chat translated the players' last names into English, and instead of "Tverdokhlib" it turned out to be "Hardbread". Since then, the guys started calling me that. The name stuck, so I decided to create a channel with the same name, where I share moments from football life, training, and the locker room.

About the upcoming match with Shakhtar

- We have a game with Shakhtar ahead of us, and we are preparing for it as seriously as possible. I can say one thing: we will not adapt to the opponent. Our coaching staff always demands that we play our own football. I am sure that it will be an interesting confrontation.

On defeats by Dynamo and Karpaty

- In the match with Dynamo, we lacked aggression. We treated the opponent with respect, but we needed to act more courageously. In addition, we conceded twice after free kicks - this became a key factor. And in Lviv, after Kemkin was sent off, it became difficult psychologically. We supported him after the match, because such situations happen. Despite everything, we fought until the end and had a chance to equalize, but we were a little short of execution.

On my own game and progress

- After the match, I wrote on my channel that there are things that need to be fixed. And it's true. I want to take more initiative, sharpen more often, shoot at goal, score more. One shot per game is not the norm for a striker. Last season, the autumn part was also successful, but now I feel even more confident. The statistics speak for themselves.

On the trust of the new coach

- Patrick van Leeuwen made me feel trusted from the first days. I play all matches for 90 minutes, and this is very important for confidence. The tactical model has also changed: if Yuriy Vernydub asked me to stay in the penalty area more, now the coach wants to see me lower, in the game with the ball. We play more through zones, and I like this freedom.

On competition, goals and support from the coach

- Last season I scored 14 goals, and many doubted that I would be able to repeat this result. But when the new coach came, he told me: "I want you to score 20 in a season." I smiled, because this is a very difficult task, but such faith motivates. I will try to do my best.

About the dream - a call to the Ukrainian national team

- Of course, playing for the national team is the dream of every football player. I don't like to make big statements, but if I play consistently and decently, maybe one day I'll get a chance. For now, I'm just doing my thing and taking it one step at a time.

Media of FC "Kryvbas" Kryvyi Rih