Vyacheslav Shevchuk: Today Sevilla is different from the team we played
Friday, April 15, 2016
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On April 15, Shakhtar’s Europa League semi-final opponents were revealed. That’s Sevilla, Spain
Shakhtar already met with the team back in the 2006/07 season. Vyacheslav Shevchuk is one of the players who took part in those games. Today, the defender shares his take on what can be expected from the upcoming encounter.
- Vyacheslav, what was your reaction when you learnt the draw results?
- I was absolutely calm. At this stage, all the teams are equal and have the same chance of reaching the competition final. Among all the clubs, Sevilla stand out just due to the fact that we used to play against them, although that’s distant history.
- In the 2006/07 season, Shakhtar lost to Sevilla in a dramatic encounter. What lessons did the team learn from the story involving a goal by Palop?
- This is football. Luck is also important here. Back then, lady luck shone on our opponents and the meeting outcome was decided in the closing few seconds. That goal was more of an accident. If we repeat the situation a hundred times, I think, we wouldn’t have that goal scored.
- How have Sevilla changed over the years?
- Almost all the players changed in the Spanish team, just like in Shakhtar. The performers, who at that time were their leaders, have gone: Dani Alves moved to Barcelona, Jesus Navas to Manchester City. Some of our Brazilians also joined some top clubs. So the line-ups are very different now, and the game will be different either.
- Did you communicate with your Ukraine teammate Yevhen Konoplyanka? Did you discuss the upcoming matches?
- No, we did not talk about anything and didn’t discuss it.
- Shakhtar have big experience of playing against Spanish teams. Generally speaking, what distinguishes the clubs from this country?
- They all practise technical football, trying to control a ball and play short balls. Shakhtar also have a similar style. To differ from Liverpool, who rely on physical performance.
- Vyacheslav, what was your reaction when you learnt the draw results?
- I was absolutely calm. At this stage, all the teams are equal and have the same chance of reaching the competition final. Among all the clubs, Sevilla stand out just due to the fact that we used to play against them, although that’s distant history.
- In the 2006/07 season, Shakhtar lost to Sevilla in a dramatic encounter. What lessons did the team learn from the story involving a goal by Palop?
- This is football. Luck is also important here. Back then, lady luck shone on our opponents and the meeting outcome was decided in the closing few seconds. That goal was more of an accident. If we repeat the situation a hundred times, I think, we wouldn’t have that goal scored.
- How have Sevilla changed over the years?
- Almost all the players changed in the Spanish team, just like in Shakhtar. The performers, who at that time were their leaders, have gone: Dani Alves moved to Barcelona, Jesus Navas to Manchester City. Some of our Brazilians also joined some top clubs. So the line-ups are very different now, and the game will be different either.
- Did you communicate with your Ukraine teammate Yevhen Konoplyanka? Did you discuss the upcoming matches?
- No, we did not talk about anything and didn’t discuss it.
- Shakhtar have big experience of playing against Spanish teams. Generally speaking, what distinguishes the clubs from this country?
- They all practise technical football, trying to control a ball and play short balls. Shakhtar also have a similar style. To differ from Liverpool, who rely on physical performance.