Mircea Lucescu: We haven’t had easy games with Vorskla of late

26-02-15 18:16:46

Text SizePrintSend

On February 26, Shakhtar held a training session at the Bannikov stadium in Kyiv. Before the training, the Pitmen’s head coach answered journalists' questions.

- Mister, the Pitmen will hold 4 four matches in 12 days. Are the team ready for such intensity?
- At the last training camp, we have played four games in six days, the team had to get used to this hard mode. It is important for all the players to have match practice after the Bayern game. Now we have to play in this mode every three days. Everyone must be ready to take to the field if necessary. But again, it is impossible to compare friendlies to official matches.

- Have the players managed to switch over to the domestic league after the Bayern game?
- These are very different tournaments. Now, after each game, it will be important to recover the players for the next match, there will be very little time. We will try to pick up points.

- Mister, lately there has been a lot of talks about Azevedo.
- He is with us; he is training.

- What do you make of Vorskla as your opponent?
- They have had very good three training camps, playing nine games during this time, six of which they have won. I am impressed by their recent winning streak of four matches. It makes you respect them even more. Another confirmation of the fact that this team are about stability, a good result is also there. They have the same coach, players. I am sure it will be a very difficult match. We haven’t had easy games with Vorskla of late.

- Darijo Srna is training individually. What happened to him and will he play?
- He has recovered from flu, so now he is training individually. Shevchuk isn’t training; he has stayed in the hotel. In addition, one of our doctors got ill, as well as a massage therapist and goalkeeping coach. Hopefully, before the game no one else will be out of the squad.

- How do you react to the fact that Vorskla signed your former player Anton Shynder? How promising is this step for him?
- He played well for Tavriya. I am sure that he will show bright football at Vorskla too. He is a purely attacking player, possessing good quality. I do not rule out the fact that he will be the first-team regular at Vorskla.

- What can you say about the life of the team away from Donetsk?
- Our president is doing everything possible to make us feel at home here. We train, try to maintain optimum condition, but, of course, it is not easy for us to be away from the fans, from Donetsk. But I still believe that things will get better soon.

- What can you say about the performance in the European competitions?
- I have a good impression of the Bayern match. We played very well and now have a chance to continue to fight for participation in the quarter finals. Will do our utmost to take this chance.

We want to remind you that Shakhtar vs Vorskla game will be held at Arena Lviv on 28 February. It kicks off at 17:00. Tickets for the game can be purchased online on the official site of FC Shakhtar.

FC Shakhtar
Press Office