FC Sheriff head coach gave a big interview for mass media representatives and TSV Channel. The conversation was about the previous season and the future of the team:


- Are you satisfied with the previous season?
- The season turned out to be difficult. Sheriff took both the second and the third position. Then we could reach the first place. Everything was decided in the golden match that we won. I am satisfied with the result.  

- Was there a moment in 8 months when you wanted to leave everything go away?
- Definitely, not. I have never had this feeling during my career as a player and as a coach. I always tried to show the team my emotions and feelings. I always told them we should play till the end. It was hard psychologically when we lost points in away or home matches. But in the end we achieved everything with our efforts.

- The season was tensed and more reminded a cardiogram. Before winter break we had 5 points less than the leader, in the beginning of the spring part we not only balanced points but went further. Then the team again was on the second position. What made you continue your work, not everyone can endure such pressure?   
- Football is sports in which everything can change. We were five points behind before the winter break. We could balance and get three more points. Then we conceded in two home matches and had an unsuccessful away match. I will say again that in these moments I tried to tell the players that we should fight till the end, and we could show that we did everything right.

- How did the team react?
- It was very hard, especially after two home defeats, after loss of points with Dinamo-Auto. It was hard to keep them concentrated. In this situation the coaching staff tried  to stay on a high level, promote positive spirits and desire to go forward. Players understood that we could play football well. In physical way, we looked well. And it was confirmed in the golden match. The opponent players had cramping and our players did not.  

- Did you find answers to your loss of advantage in the beginning of spring, what was the reason?
- My personal mistake was when we got back to the first place I started to think that we have already won. All my thoughts were directed to the last matches of the season. We lost points with the teams that fought till dying minutes. But we were somewhere at the end of May and maybe on vacation already. Our subconsciousness was he reason. Not physical condition of the team but it was our thoughts that played the main part.

- At that moment you knew that everyone got used to attacking game that gave result. And then the team seemed to be substituted. We lost to Dacia and Academia. What did you feel in that moment?
- It was later understood that the main reason was our thoughts and subconsciousness. The team was on good level: physical, tactical, playing. First of all it is my fault. I could not tell the team in right time what we had to do and which plans to follow.  It happens in world football. It is not only in the championship of Moldova. There are good and bad matches. The main thing was that we could overcome that and reach the goal.  

- Name the best match of FC Sheriff under your guidance …
- There were many good matches. Of course, one of them is golden match. We played with the team that plays good football. The match turned out to be interesting, tense and hard for both teams. We proved that our physical state was better. Everyone noticed Dacia players had cramping in the additional time and our players ran forward. We tried not to lead it to penalty shootout.  

- You lost three matches with Sheriff: to Milsami away, to Dacia at home and to Academia at home. Draw with Dinamo-Auto can also be considered as a defeat. Which of these matches was worst one and why?   
- The biggest failure  were defeats at home. If we played at least a draw we would be Champions without the golden match. It was a loss of very important points for us. And there was no football with Dinamo-Auto. Much time was taken by pauses. We could not play our football.

- Eight months have passed. Can you say now that FC Sheriff plays football that Roberto Bordin wants them to play?
- There were many games in which the team did everything I asked them. They showed football the way I see it. As for matches like with Dinamo-Auto, there was no football set by Roberto Bordin. There was no tactic. We had only one choice – to shoot in the box, and then fight there and try to send it to the goal. Looking in general, I am satisfied with the amount of work that the team has done. I think players are also glad. We could prove we can play football in a high level.

- Taking into account there are not many forwards in the team, we could score 72 goals in 26 matches. Are satisfied with the game in attack?
- I am satisfied. I am also glad the team did not concede much. As for game in attack, not only forwards scored. Ricardinho played on different positions, both in attack and in defense. He tried to attack the goal and score. At the end of the championship we found the player like Damascan. He scored five goals in six matches. And it makes me glad too.  

- Many goals were scored from set pieces. Do you train that much?
- The football I teach includes set pieces. I like it when the team can score in such situations. Modern football cannot be divided from set pieces. I paid much attention to this issue. Thus central defenders like Savic and Potirniche could score. We always train set pieces, especially before the matches.

to be continued

FC Sheriff Press Office