Bartulovich: "Heavy shelling in Kyiv disrupted a couple of transfers for us"

The head coach of "Kharkiv" Mladen Bartulovich talked about the transfer of the forward Carlos Paraco from "Kryvbas", who previously played for "Kryvbas".

- Was it your desire to sign him? How did this transfer happen in general?

– Our scouting department reviewed many forwards, there were many candidates from both Europe and our championship.

There were many conversations with European footballers, we wanted good players who would strengthen us by 100 percent, but the war - and many footballers refused because at the time when we were talking to them, there were very heavy shelling in Kyiv, it was shown in Europe. This disrupted a couple of transfers for us.

Of course, we really wanted to strengthen the forward position. Paraco has proven himself very well at "Kryvbas". I wanted a forward slightly different from Itodo, he fits this role very well, we watched many matches. I believe he is also a very good forward, 22 years old, still young - he will strengthen us, 100 percent.

- So now the team will have 3 full-fledged forwards: Mba, Itodo, and Paraco. How as a coach will you distribute playing time among them?

- There are different opponents, different games. Somewhere you can play with two forwards, somewhere you need a fast forward who opens up well behind the defense. And there must be competition among the forwards, 100 percent. They must feel the competition - only then will they work to the maximum and give 100 percent.

- 3 forwards in the club, who will solve the highest tasks in the new season - is this the optimal number?

- I think so. More could be negative because not everyone will be able to play, someone will be dissatisfied, we do not want this to happen.

I really want to build a good team, and I believe we are on the right track. Last season we built a very good team - and thanks to this, we won many matches.

- You said that the scouting department negotiated with several foreign forwards who did not come to Ukraine due to shelling. Overall, how difficult is it today to invite a footballer to Ukraine as a coach of "Kharkiv"?

- Very difficult because one day he agrees: "Yes, I'm coming, everything is fine," but the next morning there is shelling - agents call: "He talked to his family - he needs to think a little more." We had many such situations.

We need to look for internal reserves in our championship, look for players who can strengthen us, - said Bartulovich.