No favourites

- Monaco score many goals from set play – almost half of their goals last season. The team press very high. How big an issue can it be for Shakhtar tomorrow? (Futbol TC)

- Of course, set pieces are quite dangerous situations that we considered. We must be really watchful while playing because AS Monaco are a very strong team. Just like Shakhtar. We need to play both matches very and very carefully, because the qualifying stage is challenging. But we know that we can and are ready. We will operate watchfully tomorrow.

- Shakhtar have many young footballers – virtually 17 aged under 23. Have they been ready to deliver in the Champions League or do you still need to work with them for one or two seasons to bring them to the top level? (Trendets YouTube channel)

- I don't think there are young and old ones. For me, there are just strong and weak players. I always pick the ones who deserve to appear in the starting lineup.

- Pedrinho got injured in the match against Genk and has been training individually in recent days, but today he’s arrived with the team. Is he ready to start tomorrow? (Shakhtar TV)

- All the players feel fine, they all flew here. Today and tomorrow I’ll be watching them and decide on those to appear in the starting XI.

- I would like to know why Stepanenko is still losing competition in the Champions League? Can’t he adapt to your requirements or is the issue more about psychology than performance? After the Euro, he said that found it tough mentally (Futbol 24)

- No, absolutely not. I’m really delighted with the way Stepanenko has adapted to my game and with the way he’s been training. He did not play against Genk simply because I needed other players with different physical attributes, like Marcos Antonio and Maycon. For me, Stepanenko is a footballer who, undoubtedly, can play in the starting lineup. The same goes for Alan Patrick. Regardless of whether we are talking about the Champions League or the Ukrainian Championship. For me, all those players are key.

- Have you taken to the pitch? Niko Kovac said that the grass is quite high. Can you rate the pitch quality? (French media)

- I haven’t seen it yet, but in 10 minutes we will take the field and see it. It seemed from the videos that the pitch condition isn’t optimum. We’ll see. But just in case, we’ve got to adapt to it - the match comes tomorrow.

- Niko Kovac said that you are the favourites in this two-legged tie, given your Champions League experience. Do you agree with him? (Canal+)

- In Italy, they are cunning when they say so, because it’s usually the other way around. Tomorrow I’ll see the outcome to say whether he’s right or not.

- You are well known from your work in Italy, but you have little experience in Champions League matches. How does it feel for you as a coach? More stress? Are you preparing in a special way? (Trendets YouTube channel)

- The only stress and anxiety is to convey to the players all the information they need. Everything else is just a routine job. Of course, there is stress, but for me tomorrow's match is as important as those in the Ukrainian Championship - nothing changes. The most important thing is to deliver all the important information to the players tonight and tomorrow morning.

- How difficult is it to coach in European competitions? This is your first Champions League campaign. (Radio Emotion)

- Coaching is, of course, very difficult. I can equally learn something from my players and convey my knowledge to them. I prepare for the match in my usual way - with enthusiasm, with passion for football. That’s the most important thing for me. I did the same even when I was coaching in Italy’s third division. And nothing changes tomorrow, even if it's a Champions League showdown.

- How will Shakhtar play against Monaco? There’ll be a competition between different play philosophies ... (Radio Emotion)