PSG vs Shakhtar: players’ view

09-12-15 02:00:57

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Shakhtar’s players have reflected on the match in Paris.

Darijo Srna, Shakhtar’s captain:

- It is sad that we have not reached the Champions League knockout round. No matter what conditions we are in - we are all professionals, who have to play until the end. We get wages, we have good contracts, so we have to be responsible for the results together, and together make a step forward. We played well in Paris but at the same time we lost 2-0, which is bad. Three points are three points, and if we are now in third place, then we deserve it. But today, Shakhtar have shown that we can play with PSG. We showed it in the last 20 minutes of the match with Real Madrid. But it should be during full 90 minutes. I repeat: the main impression from today's match is we can fight with the French club! However, it is very difficult to play with such opponents, if you do not score. This is not the Ukrainan league, where we have 10 chances to score a goal. There is one chance and one goal can decide the outcome of the game. Summing up, I want to say thank you to each player of Shakhtar because it has been a very difficult year: there have been a lot of flights, training sessions and matches on the road. I would like to thank team-mates for showing character, giving their all on the pitch and during training, to keep Shakhtar at this level. I would like to thank the fans - even though they are not with us, but we feel their support. Everyone knows that we're playing for Donetsk, Donbas. We hope that common sense will prevail and the politicians will make the most important gift of today, and they will bring peace!

Eduardo, Shakhtar’s forward:

- A very important and interesting match for us - we played in the Champions League. This tournament is something special for every player, for every club. Today we tried to possess the ball and we had opportunities to score but unfortunately that did not happen. Let's say that in Ukraine, we are the team of the PSG level. In our league, the opponents play against Shakhtar with very tight defence, not like they do in the games with each other. For the French side, today's match in the Champions League is just another game, but for us it is special! Not every day you meet with these opponents. But in the spring, Shakhtar will compete in the Europa League along with such teams as Dortmund, Sevilla, Liverpool, who demonstrate the highest level of football. We got an important lesson and invaluable experience in the Champions League. So we will try to correct mistakes to try to repeat the success of 2009.