Viktor Skrypnyk blamed the first 15 minutes for his team's home defeat as "Zorya" Luhansk lost 2-3 to "Kryvbas" Kryvyi Rih in the third round of the Ukrainian Premier League.
"We lost the match in the first 15 minutes. Although we performed well in attack and created many chances, unfortunately, we conceded too many goals. This is very disappointing," Skrypnyk explained at the post-match press conference.
The Zorya head coach described the match as "heart-attack football" for both himself and the fans. His squad came into the game with serious intentions but failed to capitalize on numerous scoring opportunities while their opponents quickly found the net, shifting the momentum.
Despite the setback, Skrypnyk remained philosophical about his team's prospects: "We have many good players who need to continue developing and strengthening the team. Today we lost, but we'll maintain our fighting spirit."
Interestingly, the experienced coach also offered his thoughts on the evolving landscape of Ukrainian football. "Previously, the UPL had clear favorites whose victory was almost never in doubt. Now it's different. The championship has become more competitive, and I like that."
Skrypnyk pointed out that while Shakhtar has "good Brazilians" and Dynamo has "strong Ukrainian players," the overall level across teams has become more balanced. "There are no weak opponents anymore. To beat teams like Kudrivka or Poltava, you need to give your absolute maximum," he added.
The defeat leaves "Zorya" in a difficult position early in the 2025/26 campaign. Can Skrypnyk's men bounce back in their next fixture? The pressure is certainly mounting in Luhansk.
