Shakhtar vs Dnipro: players’ reaction

21-05-15 00:04:56

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After the match against Dnipro, the Pitmen have reflected on the game.

Darijo Srna, Shakhtar’s captain:

- We expected that the game would be difficult. Dnipro are a very good, strong team, finalists of the Europa League. And we had problems in today's match. But we acted in an excellent manner, we attacked well and deserved to beat Dnipro. Especially in such a difficult situation, when we constantly play away from home; it is very important for us to win the Ukrainian Cup. You see, it's not easy. Today the crowd helped Dnipro and not Shakhtar. We have been playing in Lviv for almost a year now, we have brought the Champions League to this city, and Lviv fans do not support us. In the game versus Dynamo they rooted for the Kyiv side as well. Although, we expected that. It is not very nice at all from the Lviv fans. I'm sure a lot of cities of Ukraine are waiting for Shakhtar and are ready to welcome us. But never mind, this is a period that our club and our fans have to go through! We hope that everything will work out. As for the game itself, it was good - both teams showed open football. It was evident that the Dnipropetrovsk team were extremely motivated, plus the crowd supported them. During my spell with Shakhtar, Dnipro have not won a major trophy, and today they had a chance to reach the final of the Cup. But again, we deserved to win, we created many chances. The main thing is that no one was injured at Dnipro, - they are about to play a very important match. In the final, I will be rooting for them! I wish Dnipro good luck and hope they will come back to Ukraine with a trophy. We are also about to play the final match with Dynamo, which will not be easy: Fred, Teixeira will not be able to help us but we will fight to the end.

Luiz Adriano, Shakhtar’s forward:

- I am limping a bit, but that's okay, there was just a collision during the match. I must say: I do not feel as the hero of today's match. On the contrary, I want to congratulate the whole team, the guys fought to the end! I am happy to come on as a sub to score a penalty kick. My colleagues allowed me to take it, so I am very glad I did not let them down. Of course, it was hard, when I stepped up to take it. With these fans, who have come to "support" us, it is better to score using any opportunity and provoke them even more with that! I wish that we had good support, but there is no such a thing here... As for the game, I can compare Dnipro to Dynamo - they have the same style of play, they always want to “overcome” Shakhtar. I do not know where they get power, but these clubs are constantly trying to make a war on the field.

Oleksandr Kucher, Shakhtar’s defender:

- Everything that happens on the field is left there, it's still a game, emotions, but with the final whistle it all ends. Therefore, there was much discussion with the referee, no one wanted to lose the match, as the Ukrainian Cup final was at stake. We knew that Dnipro would give their best in this game, as there is some time before their game in the Europa League, they have time to recover. Not to say that it was the most serious encounter in the season, but the match was very interesting, the crowd saw some good football with individual battles.

FC Shakhtar