We need victory
Monday, August 23, 2021
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In an interview with Shakhtar News, FC Shakhtar Director of Football Darijo Srna spoke about the games vs Chornomorets and Monaco, as well as about his trip to Croatia at the invitation of the UEFA president
- Firstly, I want to congratulate the team on the win. Many young, many new players. I’m glad that football has returned to Odesa, the city that lives and breathes football, the fact that fans were present at the stadium is really delightful. Winning was the most important thing. Now, we are facing the final meeting with AS Monaco this Wednesday. Some footballers had a rest, which is good, and now we start preparing for AS Monaco.
- What can you say about the return of Andriy Pyatov to the pitch and about Yukhym Konoplia’s debut?
- I am glad that Pyatov kept a clean sheet. I'm delighted that Konoplia delivered a very good performance. He is the future of Shakhtar and Ukrainian football. I am happy for Mudryk, Sikan and Sudakov. It was a really tough meeting, there was some pressure on them, but the guys coped and also showed that they are the future of Shakhtar and of Ukrainian football.
- Despite the fact that they played in Odesa, there were many Shakhtar fans ...
- Thank you so much! The support is always very pleasant. I’d like to invite all fans of Shakhtar, Ukraine, Metalist 1 and Metalist 2 to support our team on Wednesday. We need this victory to raise the football image of Ukraine, the image of Shakhtar, so that the Champions League comes to Ukraine again.
- Please tell us about your participation in the exhibition match in the Youth Sports Games in Croatia.
- I am very pleased that the UEFA president Aleksander Ceferin invited me as an ambassador. It's nice to play with such big players as Figo, Hierro, Malouda, Maxwell, we know each other. On the event’s eve, after training, I immediately flew to Croatia, and in the evening I returned to Odesa. It was very pleasant to be there. Children are our future, and I’m always happy to answer such calls when it comes to children.
- Darijo Srna returned to the field as a footballer. Did you feel any nostalgia?
- It also happened in Split where I started my football career after Metkovic. This is the city where I played and lived for seven years. Of course, it was very pleasant - they received me well and beautifully. I’m grateful for being invited.
- How important is it to hold such events and matches for the development of football?
- Very important. You can see it for yourself: the former footballers who went there want to help children develop. Croatia is a football country, and children are our future, and we must put in every effort, every opportunity to help them in any kind of sport.