Igor Jovicevic: Draw with Celtic tastes like a victory

Shakhtar head coach Igor Jovicevic reviews the match against Scottish Celtic (1-1).

– Igor, what did you like and what did not you like about the game? What are your impressions of the match?
– I liked everything. When the result is as it should be, when a draw tastes like a victory, then these are very positive emotions for me personally as a coach and for the whole team. We did expect a tough game, and all European teams know that playing here at Celtic Park in front of 57 thousand people is not easy even for more experienced teams. However, we are so bold, so brave, that we think not so much about the consequences as about our performances, about our game. When a team shows that during a match they can change pace and rhythm, become a protagonist, endure, counterattack and show character at the same time. The very character that shows Ukrainian people fighting for our freedom, for all of us. Including for athletes, those who play and represent Ukraine on the biggest stage – the Champions League. This result is very important for us. We see it as a great success. After all, three months ago, no one believed in us, but we did. We believed in daily work. And this is simply a consequence of the family atmosphere that we created. These boys are heroes, really heroes.

– How does Danylo Sikan feel after a match in which he did not realize his chance? Did you have a conversation with him?
– Of course, Danylo is upset that he did not score that goal in a good moment, but he is part of the team, and the team score together and lose together. It's an integral part of football and we see it as football. Real Madrid scored against us in the final seconds and that was football. We must support him. By supporting him, we support the team and ourselves. What doesn't kill you makes you stronger. We are a family. Really, family. And all the boys have already came up to him, all the coaches have, to raise a head. After all, few people come out of Celtic Park as proudly as we did today.

– Do you feel that there are 40 million Ukrainian hearts behind you and that today you are the flag of Ukraine?
– Yes, this is a great responsibility, and we felt the support of Ukrainians. We were focused and totally motivated to play. We know that Ukrainian soldiers fight and, unfortunately, die every day. We keep this in mind all the time and try to transfer their bravery to the football field. It is difficult to describe these emotions. The war continues. And, as you know, I am a Croat by nationality, but I have known Ukrainians for 20 years and I understand the whole situation perfectly. However, it is also important to understand the mentality of what is happening now. So we felt all the responsibility and pride for representing Ukraine. We fought to the end and believed we could win. It wasn't easy. In general, this whole political situation is difficult. But we have to fight on.

– Today, Shakhtar has already guaranteed themselves a Euro spring at least in the Europa League but we look forward to competitions in the Champions League. Can you give us this pleasure and promise that there will be a fight with Leipzig in Warsaw, and then there will be the Champions League? In general, did the result of the Leipzig 3-2 Real Madrid match surprise you?
– We know that the leading players – Modric, Benzema, Valverde – did not play for Real Madrid there. Leipzig went through a change of coach: Marco Rose changed both the scheme and the style of play. We have to understand that now it is a team who match the second budget in the Bundesliga after Bayern, I think. So they are at a fairly high level and are definitely favorites in our confrontation. However, I want to say that we have also gained momentum, we feel great, we show it in every match and at least we can successfully confront the opponent. We have the opportunity to win. I don't know how it will turn out. But there will be a battle. I am happy that we have already acquired the status of a participant in the European Cups for the spring. It is a great success. However, each of us has a dream that no one can take away, that is to qualify from the group and move on and on. The opponent knows how we play tactically but does not know what is in our souls and hearts. It is very important whom we play for. That's our strength.