The team make history

– Congratulations on the victory and thanks to the team for the emotions! The match was difficult and nervous, it seemed like Shakhtar was adjusting to Rennes play. Was it so? And tell us what caused the replacement of Kryskiv with Topalov and how would you rate the actions of the latter?
– I start with Kryskiv. Nobody knew and I didn't want to say in the pre-match press conference that he was injured this week, it knocked him out of rhythm for about a week. Minor injury, but there was no opportunity for him to play. The doctors advised us to simply keep him so that he would be ready for the championship and help us the way he can. We decided to put Topalov in his position because we believed that he could stretch the team somewhere, use the space, perform a left-footed pass. We understood that we will be covered, so combinatorial set and long passes help us to get to a position from which he can shoot and intensify the attack. I can commend him because he has not played for a long time and this is his first match at the European level. He was on top and gained momentum throughout the match, and I am pleased with his playing. However, we knew that we were going to have a tough match vs Rennes. You saw the push of the crowd, the atmosphere at the stadium is wonderful. This is my dream, just my dream to have our fans pushing us forward at our stadium. Then it is easier to play. But we knew that it would be difficult, that it would be necessary to endure, and the mettle that we demonstrated, that we continue to show is not a one-time thing and it is no longer an exception, but the lifestyle of this team. And I take my hat off to them, I have a lot of respect for them. I get so much pleasure from watching them fight! And this is not demagoguery, not empty words that we play for Ukraine. I believe that the first half was especially difficult. We didn't want to adapt, but the rival team forced us. Especially Doku, there are very few of such footballers on the market in general. It can be said that he opposed us by himself. He takes over, threatens, creates a quantitative advantage – it is very difficult to play against him. I think we played at a good level in the second time, with some kind of solidity. These are our first matches in the Europa League and I can't find any words, I can only thank the team for the fact that we died here in a sporty way, "broke" several legs... I don't know, this is the Lord's reward for our work we show. And we would like you to be proud of us, as we are proud of you. This is mutual love. And we move on. We need to rest and wait for the draw.

– What can you say about Kevin Kelsy's debut and Trubin's performance? And who would you like to get as the opponents in the draw?
– I do not know, let God decide. What happens will be a reward for this team, for this generation. They deserved it with their behavior, character, playing style, and patience. Not everyone will be able to surpass Rennes, seriously. We are talking about a very good team, that are much better than us in terms of budget. And I saw what it looks like. And you have to be patient. And each of our guys played at the level required to win the match. Or to take the game to overtime and win on penalties. Trubin alone, you know, is a top player for me. Simply top-notch – there are no other words for him. Not only in terms of penalties, but also his personality, his maturity: how he keeps the goal, how he plays with his feet – he has everything a top goalkeeper should have. And I am happy that he is at Shakhtar. I hope he will stay with us a little longer to mature. So that when he comes to other club, he will immediately win a place and be one of the best in Europe. This is my personal opinion. As for Kevin, I was also impressed by his personality. 18 years old, came for us, did not play for several months, but also occupied the space, occupied the area, saved several shots with his back. It is very difficult to get into a game like this. But in general, what can I say. Indeed, hats off to the team for showing that we are making history. Because it was not written in our lives yesterday, today, but probably we are painting our wonderful future.

– In one of the interviews, Ivan Petriak said that while the club is playing in the European Cups, the football players have more opportunities to see their families, who are now in Warsaw. Is it an extra motivation for the team?
– It is true. While we are playing home European matches in Warsaw, we take the moment to have our families come to us. Because the match just ended, and tomorrow we are going back to Ukraine and start the championship. If we had not passed, there would be no Warsaw, there would be no opportunity for my family to see me until June. And, as you know, I already said yesterday how difficult it is to live day after day with sirens, with psychological instability, with bombs. You have to think about training, about tactics, and at the same time you want to wake up in the morning alive. Indeed, this Europa League Round of 16 will give us the opportunity to continue to be in touch with the families that give us energy, motivation and love. It has an effect on us and is a big factor in the victory.