Mladen Bartulovich: "I want to congratulate my team on the victory and successful completion of the first part of the season"

The head coach of "Metalist 1925" Mladen Bartulovich on "UPL TV" about his team's victory in the final match of the year against "Obolon":

– First of all, I want to congratulate my team on the victory and successful completion of the first part of the season. I would like to talk more about football.

– The first half was difficult, you conceded a goal. After the break, the team significantly improved. What happened in the locker room?

– We started well, put a lot of pressure on "Obolon" in the first 20 minutes. Then we made a few mistakes, which led to the conceded goal. During the break, we talked to the guys, added aggression. In the second half, we deservedly won, created enough chances, and scored three very important goals.

– Churko quickly adapted in the episode. How do you rate his shot? This is his first goal of the season.

– Yes, we talked to him to shoot more often at the goal. He hit it very well, scored a great goal.

– After scoring the goal, you crossed yourself. Did you believe at that moment that victory was real?

– I believed even during the break. I always believe in my team, believed at 1:0 that we can win. And the guys proved it — they came out and fought until the end.

– In the first half, there was a controversial moment involving Itodo when he collided with the "Obolon" goalkeeper. What is your opinion?

– I don't know. I'm not a referee. The experts will say what happened there. No yellow card was given. It's hard to comment on something.

– But later Itodo scored. Is this a deserved reward?

– Of course. He is a forward, that's his job. He should score even more.

– The team had unstable results in the last month and a half. What happened during this period?

– It was a difficult period: injuries, first Gadzhiyev, then Moura, later Kalitvintsev and others. When such players are out, it's hard to maintain balance. We had tough matches, we only lost to "LNZ" and "Zorya". But there were also good games — against "Polissya", "Dynamo", "Karpaty". Such periods happen. The main thing is that today we won and move on with a good mood.

– Yesterday there was supposed to be a decision regarding the unfinished match, but there is still none. Do you know anything more?

– I don't want to comment on "Veres's" behavior. I want everything to be resolved on the football field, not in offices. I hope that everyone who will be deciding this will allow to finish this match on the field.