Pusic: Hopefully, Shaktar's results will be better than today

Shakhtar coach Marino Pusic speaking after the match against Dnipro-1, which his team lost with a score of 1-3.

Bosnian manager notes the Dnipro-1's equalizer at the end of the first half changer the rhythm of the game:

"We played a very good first half. And when you play a very good first half, dominate, create a lot of moments to score a second goal, a third goal and increase the gap, and then you get the equalizer out of nothing, from the corner kick, those goals are very expensive. It changed the momentum and energy of the game"

Two quick goals by Dnipro-1 after the break forced Marino Pusic to make substitutions.

"We tried to change the rhythm of the game with substitutions, to attack, because it is very difficult for a team when you concede two goals in a row – one very good set-piece goal, from a free kick, and one from 25 metres into the left corner. You lose energy, your faith in a positive result also decreases. We tried to change that, revive the team with new players, brought all attackers we had, took all risks. It is not easy to break that wall. There are several options to do this, but we did not use them today".

There will be no UPL matches next week due to international break, so Pusic already planned a friendly game for his team.

"I arrived very fast, we are still in the phase when I am learning the players better. That is why we have organised a friendly game next week to see how the other players perform. We will continue to play like we have played until now, and hopefully the results will be better than today. Do we need something more? We will see during the winter break, I cannot tell you that right now. I am very happy with my players, and during the winter break we will see if something more is necessary".