After the match between OKMK and "Neftchi" (2:2) in the 10th round of the Super League, the guest team's head coach Vitaliy Levchenko participated in a press conference.
"It was a good game. Both teams studied each other thoroughly. In the first half, we gave the opponent's striker many open spaces, and that's why we struggled. During the break, we aimed for a change. I think a draw was a fair result," Vitaliy Levchenko expressed his thoughts after the match.
- Your team was playing as the second number until conceding a goal. Only after the goal did they come to life. Did 'Neftchi' come to Almalyk to secure a point?
- We came to win. Every team wants to win. We aimed to neutralize the strong aspects of the OKMK team. This season, we tried to play open football in one match, but the result was not as we expected. We will analyze and come to a conclusion. We will play considering the strong sides of the opponent. When we display attacking football, we would give open spaces to OKMK players. OKMK has been making comebacks due to the empty spaces. We witnessed a combative game.
- Jamshid Iskanderov has not played even 60 minutes in the last matches. Is this due to his physical condition or is it your decision?
- We think about which players to bring on during the game to enhance the quality of play. There are about 20 players in the team, and we have to rotate. Some can get into the game, while others cannot. We could have strengthened the game with G'iyosov's speed, and that's why we made that decision.
- 'Neftchi' has the strongest squad in Uzbekistan, yet your team is mainly focusing on defense. Last season, 'Navbahor' also had a star-studded squad and was busy defending after scoring. Is your team playing similarly? Are you not afraid of repeating the 'Navbahor' scenario?
- Does 'Real' have a star-studded squad? Understand, surnames do not play football; ordinary people play football. At some point, I also had my surname and name, but now I cannot go out and play. There are demands in football, and they must be met. Journalists expect us to play attacking football. Should we just attack and lose 0:4? Then will you praise us for attacking and beautiful football? Football is an intellectual game. For example, when you play chess, you don't just move as you wish. You play through strategy. Football is the same. Players who meet the demands will take the field. Star teams do not always achieve results. Because there are tactics, order, and strategy.
- If names do not play a role in football, then why has the 'Neftchi' squad been strengthened so much?
- Do you have so many questions? I cannot answer these questions immediately. Everything takes time. OKMK has been playing with its squad for many years. If we change the team during the break, will OKMK's game continue to be interesting? I think not. Do you think that after buying a group of players, everything will become good? Every coach has their own views. The team is also made up of ordinary people. No one is a machine. In some teams, there is no requirement to go back 70-80 meters, while in others, there is such a requirement. That's the difference.
- When 'Neftchi' was losing, you brought Tabatadze on instead of Marushich. Why didn't the losing team play with two strikers? What is the reason your team continued to play with one striker?
- We played with two strikers.
- Iskanderov is not a striker.
- He performs the role of a striker. Have you seen a 'Barcelona' striker play? Let me ask you a question. Tabatadze and Marushich are players with the same function. If we put them both on the field at the same time, who will go back? To understand such processes, one must be within the team. One player must be able to receive the ball and be combative. The other must leave defenders behind and open up to receive the ball.
