Krivbass head coach Patrick van Leeuwen shared his thoughts following the friendly match against Shakhtar Donetsk, in which his team suffered a 0-3 defeat.
“We had to endure a long journey, but when the chance arises to face Shakhtar with the squad and young players available to us, it’s essential to take it and gain experience. In the first half, we played somewhat cautiously and with fear. Before the match, the players noted that mistakes are allowed, but the key is to give everything on the pitch.
We conceded goals, though I had hoped the players would be more relaxed, freer, and unafraid to attack. We created some chances in both halves. Still, I believe we should have played more aggressively, especially those players eager to prove to the coaching staff that they possess the qualities needed to compete in the Ukrainian Premier League. That was the main purpose of this friendly.
The squad was significantly younger, featuring different players, including some who have yet to gain experience in official matches. This was an excellent opportunity for the coaching staff to evaluate them in action. Naturally, the absence of national team players affects our performance, but since we train daily within a unified structure, every player must understand their responsibilities and give their maximum effort,” the coach said.
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