Shakhtar is more than a club

- Andriy, congratulations on having extended your contract. 14 seasons at Shakhtar! Do you remember how many agreements you had?

- No, I don’t! To be honest, I didn't count them. Most importantly, this is my home club, it is like a family for me. This is more than a club, it’s in my heart.

- What are your emotions now? Did you face any peculiarities or difficulties this time when the decision was made?

- No, the club made an offer, I was thinking it over. I’m delighted that Shakhtar offered me to extend my contract for two seasons. This is really important and honourable for me, it means they believe in me. At the same time, on my part I told the club that for me this is not just a contract for the sake of a contract, but something bigger. And that I'm ready to fight for a place in the squad. Competition raises the level and, most importantly, benefits the team. Everyone has equal chances, especially since a new coach has joined the team. The club’s plans and ambitions are sky-high. And I hope to benefit Shakhtar with my experience and performance. I will do everything that depends on me, then it’s up to the coach to decide.

- We saw De Zerbi’s Sassuolo, we saw how the goalkeeper acts when taking a goal-kick, just like the 11th outfield player. Did you talk to the new coach? Maybe he conveyed his thoughts through the management?

- We are all professionals and accept the vision of a coach who requires players to follow certain principles, and our job is to fulfil it. That’s crucial. I like it when a coach comes with ambition, his own vision and requirements. Modern football is such that goalkeepers have to play well using their feet. We will get to know each other, understand the style that Mister wants to see, and together we’ll do our best for the sake of the club's victory.

- How tough or unusual was the past season for you mentally?

- There were many nuances, but anyway it brought me some experience. I didn’t relax. We had competition, and Anatolii has proved that - he got his chance, took advantage of it and played deservedly. And he was rightly recognized as the Player of the Year. This is entirely his merit, but this is also influenced by competition. I am glad that we’ve got some goalkeepers from the Academy because we have more promising guys. We will try to develop further. I’m also developing. Anatolii and I communicate every day, he knows that it won’t be easy. There is competition through which we will both grow.

- There was a time when Dolhanskyi didn’t play at Vorskla, when you were spending the first seasons at the top level, and then he played again ...

- The main thing is having health, strength and desire. If there is motivation and aspiration, there will be growth. When this is no longer there, you have to say honestly: thanks, I'm finishing. But I'm fine so far. Moreover, this is a new contract and new challenges that make me work even harder. I'm ready for some serious competition.

- Will this certainty let you feel more confident before the Euro competition in terms of work?

- Sure. When it’s certain, the contract has been renewed, there are no unnecessary worries. Fortunately, we had an absolutely clear understanding with the club. We just couldn’t get a common solution, but in the end everything turned out well, we understood each other and are happy.

- Now, officially you’ve got every chance to make it past Mikhail Sokolovskiy and secure the second spot on the list of the club's greatest appearance makers.