The final whistle at the Luz stadium brought a sour taste. Benfica fell to Qarabag with a disappointing 3-2 home loss. This result left everyone feeling gutted, especially after a game that started so brightly. Yet, amidst the disappointment, one name stood out: Sudakov.
The young Ukrainian midfielder made his first start for the Eagles. He wore the number 10 jersey, a heavy shirt to carry for any player. He truly shined, setting up two goals for his team. His individual brilliance, however, was not enough to save the day. After the match, Sudakov did not hide his feelings. He admitted the team’s performance was not good enough.
“It was tough,” he told Sport TV during the flash interview. “We need to grow and keep our heads up. First, we must analyze what happened. We have to take responsibility for this game. Then, we look to the next match and work hard.” He spoke plainly, acknowledging the poor second half played by his teammates.
The game felt completely different early on. “We were winning 2-0,” Sudakov explained. “We were controlling the match well. But after their goal from that free-kick, the whole game changed.” He noted that Qarabag didn’t create many chances. Still, their fast attacks caused problems. “All their transition moments were difficult for us,” he added. “Our second half was simply bad.” The shift in momentum was stark.
Despite the bitter taste of defeat, Sudakov remains focused. He knows the team must learn from this. “But, as I said, we must react,” he stressed. “We need to move forward now. We have to play much better in the next game.” His personal journey at the club is just beginning. “For me, it’s fantastic to play for this club, for this team,” he shared. “I am happy to be here.” He quickly added a caveat, “But not with this result.” Sudakov knows there’s more work ahead. “I need to grow, work hard, and develop many things,” he concluded, showing his clear ambition.