Benfica’s goalkeeper recalls the deal involving his compatriot and praises the Portuguese league.
Benfica goalkeeper Anatoliy Trubin confessed that he initially thought Sudakov’s transfer wouldn’t go through. The Ukrainian international admitted he was surprised by how the deal for his compatriot ended, mainly due to Shakhtar Donetsk’s demands.
He told me there was interest, he talked about the situation in general. I knew that, sooner or later, he would change clubs. I just didn’t think it would be Benfica. (…) There were rumors, probably true, that Napoli offered 40 million and Shakhtar refused. Therefore, for me, Benfica seemed like an almost impossible option. Because if Shakhtar didn’t accept 40 million, then they probably expected an even bigger amount. And, for Benfica, it seemed to me that making purchases for that much money wasn’t a priority. But, over time, something changed. And I’m very happy that everything worked out, admitted the goalkeeper, in statements to the Ukrainian portal Futebol 24. Trubin considered the move to Benfica “a step forward” for Sudakov, who cost Benfica 27 million euros.
I’m also very happy because it’s not just a Ukrainian player, but also a friend of mine who has joined the team. (…) Everything here depends a lot on the person. I needed, perhaps, a little more time because I was alone and it was important for me to gradually adapt to the people, to feel comfortable. Sudakov is a completely different person. I can’t say I helped him all the time. He asked me some things, but they were basic things. (…) He won’t get lost, that was clear from his arrival. Besides, the club takes very good care of the players and helps at all times. I’m sure he’ll be fine here,” he stressed.
Trubin also singled out the trip to Newcastle as “the best atmosphere” he experienced this season and chose the game against Napoli as his favorite.
Furthermore, the goalkeeper drew comparisons between the Portuguese and Ukrainian leagues.
I can’t say that the level of the championship has changed much in these three years, because it remains very high. I don’t see any drastic changes. Recently, Sudakov said that, if we compare it to the Ukrainian championship, almost all [Portuguese] teams have one, two, or three very high=level players who constantly create danger, he observed .Every game in Portugal demands the maximum from you. Here you can’t afford not to be at one hundred percent. Unfortunately, in Ukraine, sometimes, even without perfect preparation, you can still play and win. That doesn’t exist here. Here you always need to be at one hundred percent. Perhaps that’s the main difference, he concluded.