Alexander Filippov, striker of Zhytomyr's 'Polissya', spoke in an exclusive interview with Sport RBC.UA about the key differences in the playing style of Ukrainian clubs and their European counterparts. According to the 34-year-old forward, the mentality of teams in the Conference League is radically different from what fans are used to seeing in the Ukrainian Premier League.
Game Philosophy: Attack vs. Defense
Filippov's main observation concerns the behavior of teams after scoring a goal. In international tournaments, opponents do not change their tactics, even if they have managed to take the lead. European clubs continue to press and look for ways to the goal, regardless of the current score.
"It doesn't matter who you play against in European competitions: against 'Copenhagen' or another team. Whether you are traveling away to a hypothetical 'Poltava'. You must always think about winning and giving your all to your team," the striker emphasized.
The situation in the Ukrainian championship looks different. Filippov noted that many teams, especially those fighting for survival, adhere to a strategy of "closing the game." As soon as an opponent from the lower part of the table scores the first goal, they immediately retreat into a tight defense, doing everything possible to hold the advantage.
Polissya's Success Story and Filippov's Statistics
The Zhytomyr club demonstrated outstanding form in the current season, taking third place in the UPL standings and overtaking Kyiv's 'Dynamo'. This result brought the team historic medals: 'Polissya' became the bronze medalist of the Ukrainian championship in just its third year of competing in the top division.
Alexander Filippov contributed to this success. In the past championship, he played 22 matches and scored 4 goals. Among his victims were 'Veres' (two goals), as well as 'Alexandria' and 'Rukh'.
Impressions of European Competitions
The striker also shared his memories of last year's clash with Italian 'Fiorentina' in the fourth qualifying round of the Conference League. This match became a vivid example of how Ukrainian teams have to adapt to a high level of competition, where the opponent does not allow relaxation even when leading.
