SHEVCHUK: “Shakhtar will have a different match with Porto than Obolon”

Former player of Shakhtar Donetsk and the Ukrainian national team, Vyacheslav Shevchuk, in a conversation with the Sport.ua correspondent, shared his own expectations regarding the start of the Pitmen in the Champions League of the new season, which will start with a match for the Ukrainian club. Portugal against Porto.

– Vyacheslav, how would you evaluate the Pitmen’s physical condition before the Porto match? Is the Donetsk team ready for the start of the Champions League?

– The players returning from the national team played a tough match against Obolon. This was a competitor who knew how to show character. However, I think the game will take on a different look with Porto. It will be a good experience for Patrick van Leeuwen. I trust their players and believe that Shakhtar will get a good result against Portugal. In my opinion, the Pitmen are ready for the Champions League to start.

– How might the absence of Dmitry Chigrinsky, Valery Bondar and Nikolai Matvienko affect the team?

– Of course, these are important players. Bondar has a serious injury, he is a quality defender, I hope he will come back stronger after recovery. Matvienko is a young but very experienced player; He plays many matches for both the Pitmen and the national team. Unfortunately, injuries happen. We played with Chigrinsky, an experienced player who knows what to do on and off the field. However, Shakhtar is a top-level club and has good players in its squad who can prove themselves and replace the injured.

– Will Shakhtar’s young players be able to withstand the level of such a tournament?

– Yes, there are many young people in the team. However, the situation in the country is such that unfortunately we cannot invite top players. Now is the time for young artists to prove themselves and Shakhtar is giving this chance to young people. Now the academy needs to work efficiently. Young people need time, a young player does not show his level immediately, it takes some time. So you need to be patient and trust these guys.

– Shakhtar have a tough group; their rivals are Barcelona, ​​Porto and Antwerp. What are the Pitmen’s expectations this European season?

– “Barcelona” is a world giant. Playing at Camp Nou will be a great experience for our players. Shakhtar had already beaten the Catalans in their history. All matches between the teams were very stubborn, there was constant struggle and thirst for victory. The teams already have a history of matches and Shakhtar will continue it. This is a new story and the cast has changed almost completely since then. “I’m sure the teams will show interesting football throughout the tournament,” Shevchuk said.