The head coach of Sheriff Football Academy Shota Makharadze commented on the away game of our youth, the Sheriff Under-19 team, against the Norwegian FC Sogndal in the second round of the UEFA Youth League.

 

- Shota, most fans of FC Sheriff watched only a video review of the away game of our youths against FC Sogndal. I would like to hear an opinion about the match from you, as a team mentor.

- Our team was well prepared in psychological terms, because we assumed that it would be difficult to play away. They started the match very well and acted quite confidently. In the 3rd minute there was an absolute moment at Vladimir Kovchenko. Forget Vladimir, then the opponent would be completely paralyzed. But this is football, and not everything always flies. Then we missed one, and soon the second ball. During the break, let's say, “human” conversation. We have players and children with strong character. The guys showed iron nerves. I said that I did not give up and the whole team eventually supported this call. I am grateful to the guys for the second half. We started very actively, it was nice and expensive to look at their game. They scored a beautiful ball; Evgeny Ozhekhovsky showed great skill. The whole team surrendered for the sake of victory. In general, many thanks to the whole coaching staff for the work. The only thing I was upset with was the infantilism of the guys in the episode with the third goal scored into our goal. Immediately earned a penalty and complicated the game. I try not to comment on the refereeing, but today I’ll say something. For the whole time of my career, there, in Europe, for the first time I was scared for refereeing. It was scary for what was happening and what could happen during the main and compensated time of the fight. Who knows what football is, he will understand me.

 

- What did you feel after the second goal missed into our goal?

- I was sure that we will score. The game is a process, and one way or another we set the goal - to score to the goal of our rivals.

 

- How do you estimate your opponent in two oppositions?

- There are no weak rivals in this format. First played with the champion of Albania and then - Norway. Sogndal is a physically strong team with its own philosophy. They started the match sharply and brightly, we must pay tribute to them for this. I evaluate the opponent only on the positive side.

 

- Any thoughts on the upcoming draw and the spring match?

- We will wait for the results of the draw and we will proceed from this further. Team confidence increases from game to game. We are able to give battle to any opponent.

 

- Going through of our team into the playoffs of the UEFA Youth League is a historic event for all Moldavian football. What do you say about this?

- At the beginning of the season we had such a conversation. We realized for ourselves that we can do this. We are the generation that is able to fight at a high level. The boys believed in themselves and raised the bar for their abilities. Thanks to the management, FC Sheriff has high standards and the necessary conditions for them. Thanks to this, we are progressing, and we are the generation that is able to achieve high results.

FC Sheriff Press Office