Shakhtar v Zirka: players comments

Bernard, Shakhtar midfielder:

- The most important thing is that we have earned three points and had a great start in the league. This victory adds confidence before the start of the Champions League. Today we demonstrated high tempo of the game. It's good that we scored an early goal. With this kind of teams it is important to score in the beginning to get them to open up. Then there is more space and it's easier for us to play. We could have scored more, but I think it's good that we create so many scoring opportunities. In the future we will try to realize them. The team needs be ready for the first match in the Champions League. I'm sure every player will give everything he's got to make sure that Shakhtar advances to the group stage.

Sergii Kryvtsov, Shakhtar defender:

- The game was completely under our control. From the starting minutes we showed the opponents who's the boss here. We had a serious mindset. It's good that we managed to score in the beginning. After all, it was the first game of the league, plus there was very little information about Zirka, so an early goal allowed us to play more freely. Before conceding a goal we slowed the pace a little, but during half-time Paulo Fonseca pointed out the mistakes. In the second half Zirka had no chance. Physically, our team is already looking real good, and we could finish the match with a bigger score. I feel the coach's confidence. I will do everything possible to gain a foothold in the first team.