Darijo Srna: There will be no open football

28-07-10 19:18:47

On Friday night, Shakhtar Donetsk will appear in an away clash against Arsenal Kyiv. This very fixture was the central topic in communication of the Pitmen players with the Club’s press-office. 

Darijo Srna:

- I think it will be a hard clash. Small stadium, a six-point advantage has already gained by Arsenal…

- What, in your opinion, made Arsenal start so successfully in the beginning of domestic campaign?
- I do not know, it is the first matchdays only. It always happen like this in the beginning, everybody plays open against all the teams, except clashes against Shakhtar and Dynamo. Therefore the goal-scoring opportunities appear and they succeed to organize something at the rival’s goal. But this year Premier-league newcomer PFC Sevastopol, managed to defeat them in away encounter mostly due to this factor. A lot of openers, so called opened football. But on Friday, I think, that will not happen. Our opponents will play against Shakhtar, thinking of defensive line only.

- What is our team’s state now?
- Principally speaking, everything is normal. Definitely we are too much tired, following the play against Zorya. The more so, the greater part of the match playing in squad of ten. But no matter – we won!

Vasyl Kobin:

- We have not yet watched thought the Arsenal’s play – I think, we’ll do it tomorrow. All of us realize, that we are going to perform a very tough encounter, because it will take place in Kiev, and all the Kyiv teams, including Arsenal, are especially motivated while playing against Shakhtar. The opponent is very good, an experienced team, challenging for its position in Euro Cups tournaments.

- Yesterday Myron Markevych called you up to the national team of Ukraine. Did that add you any positive emotions?
- Certainly, it always pleasant. If you are called, then you are trusted. We have good mutual understanding with the coach. Certainly, such news increase the desire to play. I am very glad.

- Did you have any talk with Mister on particular playing situations, following the match against Zorya?
- No, there was no individual conversation. There was just a regular analysis of the encounter, where Mister specified to us all the mistakes, assumed by the team, including mine.

Razvan Rat:

- The fixture will be tough. Arsenal is the team, which intentions are difficult to perceive. They defeated Zorya in away clash, but lost to Sevastopol at home. I do not know, it was always hard to play against them, but we will have to win.

- Arsenal faces the challenge of playing in Euro Cups. Are they fit for that, in your opinion?
- Everything depends on them only. For me it is much more important, for Shakhtar to be qualified into the Euro Cup spring! (Smiles.)

- Do you communicate with Mazilu? Possibly, you have discussed something in particular, before this play…
- Yes, we contact each other. But we did not talk this week. Although we hardly ever speak of Ukrainian championship. We mostly discuss each other’s health or the way the teams do in general.

FC Shakhtar
Press-office