Rakitskyi: My heart belongs to Shakhtar only

The first interview with Yaroslav Rakitskyi after returning to Shakhtar.

– Yaroslav, we are glad to see you again at Shakhtar. How does it feel to get back to the home club? How was the meeting with the team?
– I always dreamed to return to Shakhtar. I love this club and my heart belongs to Shakhtar only. Wherever I may play, I am loyal to this club. What reception did the guys gave me? It was nice. I have to get acquainted with everybody. I hope I will be able to help them.

– Who did you communicate with before returning to Shakhtar?
– I spoke with Darijo, had a conversation with the coach yesterday – we understood each other. Everything depends on me. Despite my age, 33 years old, I am still young and will make every effort, impose my candidature on the coach to appear in the starting eleven.

– You know Shakhtar like no one else, you played for the team for a long time. What can you say about the current young Ukrainian Shakhtar?
– I watched almost all the Champions League matches and I liked the play very match. The boys are not afraid, plus there are experienced players helping. It is a good balance. And there is a room to grow, it is not a limit. I hope Shakhtar will gain momentum with every session and every game, go forward and achieve their goals.

– What can you say about the coaching philosophy of Igor Jovicevic?
– I did not train in the general group yet, however I got all tactics. I will listen to the coach, go into tactics and, I think, understanding comes to me quickly.

– What personal goals and ambitions do you have at current Shakhtar?
– Shakhtar’s ambitions stay the same – to always be the first and achieve good results in the European Cups. My task is to help the team. If I help the team to succeed, I will be happy and then let the others assess me.

– Under what number will you play?
– Under the number 44.