Mircea Lucescu: If we overcome Bayern, we’ll become heroes

16-02-15 18:41:34

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Before the Champions League last 16 game, Shakhtar’s head coach has answered reporters' questions.

- Mr. Lucescu, what do Shakhtar need to advance to the next round? How important is Bayern’s win over Hamburg in their last league game in light of the upcoming game?
- If we overcome Bayern, we’ll become heroes. No doubts about that. We played our last official match two months ago, plus we are working in difficult conditions. Of course, almost everyone predicts Bayern reaching the next phase, and after their 8-0 win, there were even more such expectations. Bayern have already played four official matches. Naturally, Guardiola knows the potential of his players very well. We unfortunately do not know, because all our matches have been friendlies, which are incomparable with the official fixtures. But in football, you know, logic does not always win, so anything is possible. Another point: we have 13 Brazilians in our team. We are probably the most Brazilian team in Europe. There are six World Cup winners playing for Bayern. Indeed, all of our young Brazilians want to prove themselves and take revenge for the defeat in the World Cup, when the Brazil national team suffered a heavy defeat at the hands of Germany.

- Are you satisfied with the condition of the pitch?
- It is very good!

- Considering the number of Brazilians in the team, is cold weather a minus for Shakhtar?
- Probably, sub-zero temperatures won’t be very comfortable for anyone. But both teams will be playing in the same conditions. We have already been one week in Ukraine after returning from the training camp. We tried to adapt to current conditions. I am confident that in this game no one will think about the temperature of the air. One will have to run more, I guess.

- How irreparable is Bernard’s loss? Do you have anyone to replace him?
- There is no problem regarding his replacement. He is still injured and working in accordance with an individual programme. By and large, he hasn’t been our key player. There are Taison, Marlos, Nem. Everyone is ready; everyone is looking forward to this match-up.

- How significant is Taras Stepanenko’s loss in this game?
- Yes, Stepanenko would be a very important player in tomorrow's match. Let's hope that whoever replaces him, he will perform the role, which he performed. But it would certainly be nice, if tomorrow Taras took part in the game.

- Everyone was shocked by Bayern’s 4-1 loss to Wolfsburg. Will the game of Shakhtar resemble Woldsburg’s game?
- Every game has its own story. It was the first match of the championship this year. Bayern are very strong. Most likely, this is the best team in the world today. They are headed by a very competent coach, who loves his job. During a two-year period, he has transformed the team’s Anglo-Saxon style of play into Latin one. The way he guides the team is unique. If Bayern advance further - I stress, if advance further, - they can win the Champions League. And besides, Bayern have a big gap on the second-placed team in the league. Here we will play two games, and everything is possible.

- Does the crisis in the East of Ukraine affect the mood of the team before the game?
- We all have information; we see what is happening there. We play for our fans. Current events are great sorrow. But we are professionals and we do our job.

- How do you keep in touch with fans who cannot attend your games?
- I hope they can watch the matches on television.

FC Shakhtar
Press Office