Shakhtar midfielder Taras Stepanenko spoke about the first training session under the new head coach.

"I missed football, I missed the guys. It's very nice to return to work, and with a new coach. I think that there will be new ideas, the game will change a little. I see that we are now focusing more on the ball, on the game model.

There is always a good atmosphere in Shakhtar. We are used to the fact that we have a lot of guys from Brazil and other foreigners, but now we have only Ukrainians. Our young players will be given a great chance.

In the new season will aim for the top. Despite the situation, the war in our country and all the difficulties that the club has, our goals must be the highest.

We are not the favorites of the season? Experts see that we have lost some powerful players, the Brazilians, who controlled our game in attack. But Shakhtar is Shakhtar - there are goals, there is the strength of the club, traditions and faith in the future," Stepanenko said.

«Є віра в майбутнє». Тарас Степаненко – щодо Йовічевіча, молоді й старту зборів «Шахтаря» в Нідерландах.#Shakhtar #Шахтар pic.twitter.com/HLFAFmxSXH

— ⚒FC SHAKHTAR DONETSK (@FCShakhtar) July 14, 2022