FC Sheriff U-19 mentor Andrei Korneenkov commented on the UEFA Champions League game against Shakhtar U-19 Donetsk (0-5):

 

- Andrei Korneenkov, what were your expectations before this game?

- The group stage of this tournament is something new for us, so we tried to prepare the guys more psychologically. There was great excitement, the guys were worried and nervous. Probably, this is the reality of our Championship - unfortunately, we do not have such a rivalry with teams of this level.

 

- Anyway, playing with the teams of Real, Inter and Shakhtar is a great experience ...

- This is definitely true, but every player and coach goes to the fields with a dream not to lose. We are trying to make life difficult for our opponents and show our game. Let's see, we need to figure it out. While we were physically at the proper level, we blocked all zones of the opponent. When a little bit of strength left us, there was a technical errors and a slow rebuilding.

 

- Did the break in our football - namely, a year and a half - affect today's game?

- Definitely so. The players born in 2002 flew past the Champions League and the qualifying games for the Moldova national team. You understand that every game at the international level gives the guys strength and confidence.

 

- How to prepare the guys before the game against Real Madrid so that this score does not demoralize them and they would find motivation to play well in the future?

- There is not much time, there are games in the Championships in which these players play, plus Division-A. Therefore, we will work more functionally. We have to play with one squad on several, let's say, fronts. As for motivation, they should motivate themselves, not the coach. The very participation in such a tournament should generate this. It is clear that no one canceled our work, but they should be aware that this is their future. With one or two games they can make a name for themselves, and for the whole club.