The most difficult title
Monday, May 29, 2023
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Shakhtar captain Taras Stepanenko’s comment after the win against Dnipro-1
– Describe your emotions after the victory over Dnipro-1.
– I am very glad. Probably, this is the most difficult title that I have had in all my years at Shakhtar. I was very worried and prepared carefully for the last matches. We deserved to win this match, no one believed in us along the way, but we proved that we are the team. We honestly won this league title and I'm very happy, I want to say a big thank you to everyone!
– You were an example for all young players during the season – how did you motivate them?
– I learned to be not only a player, but also an elder brother. It's not easy, sometimes I didn't do everything right. Mister taught me a lot, and I still have a lot to tell and show them, and I grew as a man too. They grew as players because they matured, with me growing as a man.
– What did this goal mean to you?
– I want to say that I was carrying a heavy burden and I got it off my shoulders when the second and third goals were scored. There were such rushes that I cannot even convey. There were not just 11 footballers, but 50 players: the subs, the coaches, the technical staff, the medical staff, the administrators – everyone has won this title. Everyone contributed their share to this most difficult title.
– Did you previously imagine that this Shakhtar would become win the league title?
– When we started, I didn’t look to the future, but moved step by step, tried to work. But that's what happens when you work, many things are against you and you just pursue your dream, you want to achieve something.
– I am very glad. Probably, this is the most difficult title that I have had in all my years at Shakhtar. I was very worried and prepared carefully for the last matches. We deserved to win this match, no one believed in us along the way, but we proved that we are the team. We honestly won this league title and I'm very happy, I want to say a big thank you to everyone!
– You were an example for all young players during the season – how did you motivate them?
– I learned to be not only a player, but also an elder brother. It's not easy, sometimes I didn't do everything right. Mister taught me a lot, and I still have a lot to tell and show them, and I grew as a man too. They grew as players because they matured, with me growing as a man.
– What did this goal mean to you?
– I want to say that I was carrying a heavy burden and I got it off my shoulders when the second and third goals were scored. There were such rushes that I cannot even convey. There were not just 11 footballers, but 50 players: the subs, the coaches, the technical staff, the medical staff, the administrators – everyone has won this title. Everyone contributed their share to this most difficult title.
– Did you previously imagine that this Shakhtar would become win the league title?
– When we started, I didn’t look to the future, but moved step by step, tried to work. But that's what happens when you work, many things are against you and you just pursue your dream, you want to achieve something.