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Mircea Lucescu: Mkhitaryan has to work hard

09-09-10 18:38:02

After the ceremony of Henrikh Mkhitaryan’s unveiling as a player of Shakhtar Donetsk the whole team went to the training session. Before starting the training Shakhtar’s head coach Mircea Lucescu answered the journalists' questions.

- Whose initiative was in signing Henrikh Mkhitaryan and what role on the pitch do you see for him?
- The main thing is that he is here and who came with the initiative is not so important. Henrikh is a very good player, whom we have long observed and noticed him while we were playing against Pyunik. Since then he has matured as a player and has become a very strong player now. And in terms of his professionalism there have never been any complaints. His level, age and the rest blends well for him to play for our team, so that he could help us to grow higher and higher each year.

- Some players have just returned from the national squads ...
- It is always difficult to move on from national teams to domestic championships. It is difficult to motivate players both before their departure on international duties and after their returning. When they go there - they already think about the national team. And coming back, sometimes, they are very tired. We must find a balance and pick up the best line up, which can play only for win tomorrow.

- Was Bruno signed for the first team or you would like him to go through the reserves first?
- He will work with us. He is still quite a young player. We will watch him and then we may draw some kind of conclusion.

- In Metalurh Mkhitaryan was a bright leader but at Shakhtar he will face competition among the Brazilians. Do you think he will not get lost?
- We have no leaders. Here, the whole team is a leader. So let's hope that he will be just like this. To do so he has to work hard. I will give him an opportunity to show what he is capable of.

- Last year there was quite a difficult match for Shakhtar in Kyiv against Obolon. Moreover, the pitch will not be of a better quality. Have you taken into account these aspects during the preparation for this tie?
- I am expecting a very tough, aggressive game, especially taking into consideration that the pitch was not actually of a good quality. I do not think that their staff has restored it to the right conditions. By showing our best we will try to get a positive result. We are waiting for a difficult game.

- Is the start of the Champions League campaign going to be without Chygrynskyy?
- For sure. There are other players who can replace him.

- Are you gathering information about Partizan? Are you planning a personal visit to Serbia to see the opponent?
- This is my personal matter and it is up to me to decide.