We will do everything possible and impossible to win
Tuesday, December 12, 2023
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Shakhtar defender Valerii Bondar answered the journalists’ questions at the press conference before the Champions League match against Porto
– Valerii, you did not participate in the first match against Porto, but you saw the game. What are your impressions of that clash and are current Shakhtar capable of beating this Porto?
– Thank you for the question. Yes, I watched that match in the studio and rooted for my team, but of course we did not get the result that we wanted. However, tomorrow it will be a different game. There have been small changes in our play, tactics, the coach changed. After the arrival of the new coach, I think that the philosophy of our play and the way we perform, especially in the Champions League, have changed.
– The first part of the UPL ended, the last matches were a little tough, plus the winter weather, and there is still a charity match in Japan ahead. Taking into account these factors, how do the team feel and what is the mood?
– We feel great, the mood is very good and the atmosphere is wonderful - both in the staff and in the team. I think that this is the merit of the head coach and each one of us. There is one match left, it is very important for us, and we want to make a little dream come true. I know that tomorrow the whole country will be with us, the whole country will worry about us, and we really want to bring joy to our Armed Forces, who are now there in the trenches, where they struggle, and our people struggle. So, of course, we want to make them all happy with our win, make our little dream come true and go further.
– Returning to the first question: you did not meet the Portuguese on the field, but how can describe this team? Perhaps one of the teammates shared their impressions and information about the skills of Porto players with you?
– I think that this is a very strong club, which is at the top of Liga Portugal table together with Sporting CP. This is a very good team, they are very ambitious and are currently second in our group, but we will face them tomorrow and show our maximum, our football. We want to have the initiative tomorrow, show what we are capable of and that we came here to win.
– Shakhtar are really one step away from making the dream come true, presenting a celebration to all Ukrainians, football fans. What is it like to be one step away from the Champions League play-offs?
– We will do everything possible and impossible for this. I think that one of the most important matches of the year for our team will take place tomorrow.
– If you do not mind, there is a question which is not quite about football. Everyone in Ukraine is now talking about the admission of Russians and Belarusians under a neutral flag to the Olympic Games. What do football players say about it and what is your personal opinion?
– My opinion is that this is an absolutely irresponsible, terrible and absurd decision of the committees that allow citizens with a Russian passport to participate in the Olympics. After all, everyone in the world knows exactly what a neutral flag is, what it means – it means that these are the people who kill our civilians, attack our energy infrastructure, kindergartens, hospitals. It is very hard to talk about this. But there are committees and federations that banned Russian athletes from competitions, for example, UEFA. And what has football lost without Russian footballers and Russian teams? Absolutely nothing. And I think that football even benefited from this. Because it is the most popular sport in the world, and it is a good thing that they cannot have influence through football with their bloody propaganda. And, of course, I hope that all committees, all federations will pay attention to this, that it is unacceptable to look at all this just like that, it is unacceptable for this country 404 to participate in the Olympic Games, a large-scale sporting event. It is absurd and unacceptable. And I want to wish our Ukrainian athletes success. And even if they do not participate in their competitions, the victory will still be ours – like always and like everywhere else. I wish success to our Ukrainian athletes, our football players, who achieved the dream of many and got into the Olympics.
– Thank you for the question. Yes, I watched that match in the studio and rooted for my team, but of course we did not get the result that we wanted. However, tomorrow it will be a different game. There have been small changes in our play, tactics, the coach changed. After the arrival of the new coach, I think that the philosophy of our play and the way we perform, especially in the Champions League, have changed.
– The first part of the UPL ended, the last matches were a little tough, plus the winter weather, and there is still a charity match in Japan ahead. Taking into account these factors, how do the team feel and what is the mood?
– We feel great, the mood is very good and the atmosphere is wonderful - both in the staff and in the team. I think that this is the merit of the head coach and each one of us. There is one match left, it is very important for us, and we want to make a little dream come true. I know that tomorrow the whole country will be with us, the whole country will worry about us, and we really want to bring joy to our Armed Forces, who are now there in the trenches, where they struggle, and our people struggle. So, of course, we want to make them all happy with our win, make our little dream come true and go further.
– Returning to the first question: you did not meet the Portuguese on the field, but how can describe this team? Perhaps one of the teammates shared their impressions and information about the skills of Porto players with you?
– I think that this is a very strong club, which is at the top of Liga Portugal table together with Sporting CP. This is a very good team, they are very ambitious and are currently second in our group, but we will face them tomorrow and show our maximum, our football. We want to have the initiative tomorrow, show what we are capable of and that we came here to win.
– Shakhtar are really one step away from making the dream come true, presenting a celebration to all Ukrainians, football fans. What is it like to be one step away from the Champions League play-offs?
– We will do everything possible and impossible for this. I think that one of the most important matches of the year for our team will take place tomorrow.
– If you do not mind, there is a question which is not quite about football. Everyone in Ukraine is now talking about the admission of Russians and Belarusians under a neutral flag to the Olympic Games. What do football players say about it and what is your personal opinion?
– My opinion is that this is an absolutely irresponsible, terrible and absurd decision of the committees that allow citizens with a Russian passport to participate in the Olympics. After all, everyone in the world knows exactly what a neutral flag is, what it means – it means that these are the people who kill our civilians, attack our energy infrastructure, kindergartens, hospitals. It is very hard to talk about this. But there are committees and federations that banned Russian athletes from competitions, for example, UEFA. And what has football lost without Russian footballers and Russian teams? Absolutely nothing. And I think that football even benefited from this. Because it is the most popular sport in the world, and it is a good thing that they cannot have influence through football with their bloody propaganda. And, of course, I hope that all committees, all federations will pay attention to this, that it is unacceptable to look at all this just like that, it is unacceptable for this country 404 to participate in the Olympic Games, a large-scale sporting event. It is absurd and unacceptable. And I want to wish our Ukrainian athletes success. And even if they do not participate in their competitions, the victory will still be ours – like always and like everywhere else. I wish success to our Ukrainian athletes, our football players, who achieved the dream of many and got into the Olympics.