Yuval Shpungin, the Yellow & Blue defender is getting ready of the Toto Cup Derby this evening at the Moshava Stadium against Hapoel Tel Aviv. The right back spoke about this evening’s Derby, his fitness, training under coach Arveladze and coming back from injury:
“I’m back after a long time due to an injury, but I’m getting back into shape by training and I feel good. It’s been tough but now I’m back and I have to prove to the coach that I belong on the pitch”
Practices under new coach Shota Arveladze:
“They’ve been very good and are at a very high level. We are working hard together and improving but we still have plenty to of work to do to get to where we want to be.”
Current fitness status:
“I still have a way to go but I’m working hard and many of the players are already in match shape which means I have to work even harder to get my fitness level back to normal.”
The whole squad is getting a chance to play:
“We’re beginning to play more important games and it’s good that we’ve been able to do what we’ve needed to in the matches that we’ve already had. Many of the players have had a chance to play and pick up minutes but now we have to keep moving along and win the contests ahead.”
Tonight’s Derby:
“Of course we have plenty of motivation and it’s a Derby so there’s no question that we want to win and it doesn’t matter that we’ve already advanced to the next stage of the Toto Cup. All of the players want to prove that they belong on the pitch and we all have to make sure we do our best this evening.”
