Bartulovic reflects on training camp after Schalke friendly

Kharkiv head coach Mladen Bartulovic has shared his thoughts on the team's training camp in Austria following their final friendly match against Schalke, which ended in a 0:2 defeat.

Despite the result, the manager emphasized the value of the experience. "A very high-quality opponent, a great atmosphere. For us, before the start of the championship, it was a good sparring match. It was important to feel what it's like to play in front of fans. A high-quality opponent punishes mistakes immediately. This showed us where we need to move and what we need to strive for," the coach explained.

Bartulovic noted that they deliberately chose strong opponents to help their young squad gain necessary experience. During the Austrian camp, Kharkiv also faced teams such as Qarabag, Young Boys, RB Salzburg, Wolfsberger, Jablonec, Hradec Kralove, and Fagiano Okayama.

I believe all our players gained huge experience during this camp. We have prepared physically very well. We still have time to polish some game moments before the first round. I think we will be 100% ready to win every match. Mladen Bartulovic

Regarding squad development, the coach highlighted that new signings are integrating well into the team's tactical model. He also confirmed that the club is continuing its efforts to further strengthen the roster. The team will now have a few days of rest before beginning preparations for their UPL season opener against Veres on August 1.