Tiraspol, November 25 /Novosti Pridnestrovya/. The Sheriff football team from Tiraspol conceded to Real Madrid by a score of 0-3 in the return match of the Champions League group stage and secured a place in the Europa League play-off.
“We’re in the Eurospring! This’s a big plus for the Sheriff club,” the head coach of the yellow-blacks Yuri Vernidub reported after the match.
The Ukrainian coach observed the Spanish club’s respect for Tiraspol through the fighting starting lineup. However, the Pridnestrovian club coach questioned the appointment of the first penalty stroke.
“I’ve never said such things, but the first ball that we conceded from a free penalty stroke..., I think there was no free-kick at all. Our football player was the first, who moved the ball, knocked him out, and if there was an opponent’s touch, then only after the kicked out ball. Understandably, Real Madrid is a great football club, that’s why I think this penalty was assigned. If that was sent to the Real Madrid, then, I think, there would never have been such a free-kick,” Yuri Vernidub expressed his opinion.
The head coach of the Spanish Real Madrid Carlo Ancelotti sees his club's success in command unity while admitting some mistakes that were made by the team in Tiraspol.
“Sometimes we had mistaken in defense, but we’re actively rehabilitating ourselves in such aspect. Our team is a single whole, every player risks on the field, which is undoubtedly very significant. We’re approaching a difficult season period, that’s why we need to be fully prepared,” Carlo Ancelotti noted.
According to the Whoscored.com authoritative portal, the Sheriff’s midfielder Sebastien Thill was recognized as the Tiraspol club’s best player in the return match against Real Madrid.
“It was difficult for us to confront the Real Madrid because the ball was controlled by them very well. Unfortunately, the goal wasn’t scored by us and we were failed to please our fans. That time we’ll try to win the last match against the Shakhtar team,” Sebastien Thill noted.
The best UEFA match player award was awarded to Toni Kroos who score the second goal. The German midfielder has commented on his involvement in Real Madrid’s success.
“I’m pleased that I scored that goal, but the final result is more important to me, like to each of us, because it guaranteed a withdrawal from the group. I’m a team player and it’s very important, that we worked as a single whole. In the second half, it became more difficult to create scoring moments, that’s why I’m pleased to join the group. In the first moment after my stroke, I wasn’t sure that I had scored the goal,” Kroos declared.
The Royal club defender Dani Carvajal drew attention to Pridnestrovian weather. Tiraspol's cool weather was described by him with humor.
“It’s cold in here, but the final result is keeping me warm. We’ve already reached the 1/8 of finals, which means that the goal has been achieved. At that moment, we’re coping with a defensive task, and our main goal is to consolidate it, having overcome some obsession, because of which we’re constantly conceded goals,” Dani Carvajal is being quoted by the UEFA official website.
The Champions League group stage is at the finish line. The final round will take place on December 7th. The Sheriff football club will play against Shakhtar from Donetsk in Kyiv, but Inter from Milan will be hosted by Real Madrid.
