Feyenoord are our old acquaintances and good friends
Friday, February 24, 2023
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FC Shakhtar CEO Sergei Palkin commented on the results of the UEFA Europa League draw
– Shakhtar just found out about their opponents in the Round of 16 on the plane. What can you say about the results of the draw?
– In any case, it is better than Arsenal London. Because at first it was announced to us that Arsenal will be the opponent, and our hearts sank a little, but then we were told it was a mistake. And Rotterdam is an iconic city for us: the new coaching staff of Igor Jovicevic was presented there in the summer, so this is a significant event for the coaches and the club. Although, if we analyse the last six months since we started playing in the Ukrainian League and the Champions League group, it seems to me that for our club there is no difference with whom to play. After all, we have developed such club DNA that allows us to beat any opponent, or at least look decent, because you can even lose with dignity. Yesterday’s match showed that we get out of the most difficult situations with our heads held high. The most important thing is that we show character and desire to win. It is important. And Feyenoord are a very good club, we know them well, we played against them. They help us a lot in charity work, we have good cooperation with them. So we will be honoured to come to Rotterdam again and meet our good old friends.
– What do you personally think about Shakhtar's chances in this Europa League?
– We always have chances, even in the Champions League. Seriously, today, during the war, the planning horizon is a maximum of one or two weeks. And in the club, the situation is the same in terms of planning and competitive results. So, we go from match to match. And I hope that we will get better every day, because new guys have come and revived the team. For example, Kevin came on yesterday, and the minutes he spent on the field were great: he scored the goal that pushed us to the next stage. This shows that our newcomers are the players with a good level and character. And I believe that they will help more and more from game to game.
– In any case, it is better than Arsenal London. Because at first it was announced to us that Arsenal will be the opponent, and our hearts sank a little, but then we were told it was a mistake. And Rotterdam is an iconic city for us: the new coaching staff of Igor Jovicevic was presented there in the summer, so this is a significant event for the coaches and the club. Although, if we analyse the last six months since we started playing in the Ukrainian League and the Champions League group, it seems to me that for our club there is no difference with whom to play. After all, we have developed such club DNA that allows us to beat any opponent, or at least look decent, because you can even lose with dignity. Yesterday’s match showed that we get out of the most difficult situations with our heads held high. The most important thing is that we show character and desire to win. It is important. And Feyenoord are a very good club, we know them well, we played against them. They help us a lot in charity work, we have good cooperation with them. So we will be honoured to come to Rotterdam again and meet our good old friends.
– What do you personally think about Shakhtar's chances in this Europa League?
– We always have chances, even in the Champions League. Seriously, today, during the war, the planning horizon is a maximum of one or two weeks. And in the club, the situation is the same in terms of planning and competitive results. So, we go from match to match. And I hope that we will get better every day, because new guys have come and revived the team. For example, Kevin came on yesterday, and the minutes he spent on the field were great: he scored the goal that pushed us to the next stage. This shows that our newcomers are the players with a good level and character. And I believe that they will help more and more from game to game.