It's cool to win two trophies!
Thursday, May 16, 2024
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Shakhtar midfielder and captain Taras Stepanenko reflects on the victory in the Ukrainian Cup, the golden double of the season and support of fans
– Taras, Shakhtar won two trophies in a week. Share your captain emotions.
– It's cool that we won two trophies! It is a hundred percent of this season, so it is great that we end it with positive emotions, so the guys who are going to join the national team will be able to rest, and those who have played less will be able to play football for themselves in the last two rounds. After all, the whole team work, but not everyone always plays, so it is important for the guys who have played less. The task for the season has already been completed, now you can rest a little and prepare for the next one.
– Shakhtar have not won the Cup since 2019. Was there a feeling that this trophy would add to the collection of the Miners?
– It is 100 percent. It is clear that we played for victory, came for gold medals and were ready to win. We dominated in the match and, I believe, completely outplayed our opponents and deservedly won.
– It is the eighth victory in the Ukrainian Cup for you personally. What does it mean to you?
– That I got into a team that always play for the first spot. I’m very happy to be here and win trophies with the club. This is very important to me. But it is not easy: it only seems that Shakhtar are here, so it is easy to win. It's really hard to win trophies every year, stay motivated, keep going and keep fit no matter what. That is why it is very, very important to me.
– Regarding trophies. Much was written in the media that Shakhtar will come up with Dynamo in terms of the number of Ukrainian trophies in case of victory in the Cup. Have you followed these statistics?
– I remember that this is the second time we have caught up with Dynamo. We let them go for a while back then, but now caught up again. Indeed, they write about it, and I follow it. It is very cool when Shakhtar catch up with Dynamo in terms of trophies, it is a historic event for the Donetsk club. That is why we are working to be the number one team in Ukraine. And so far we are doing it right.
– I would also like to ask about the match. What can you say about the game and what was the key moment?
– I think we analysed our opponents well, with them not showing us anything new: everything we discussed and practised during training worked out exactly that way. In the first half, they had a one-on-one chance, but when we scored the first goal, everything became clear. The opponents played in a low block and relied more on counter-attacks, so when we scored, it became much more difficult for them.
– Fans are an integral part of all our victories. What is your captain's message to all our Orange-and-Black fans?
– I must say that it was really a very cool atmosphere, we missed such an atmosphere when the stadium is practically full. There were many Shakhtar fans and I would like to thank them for coming and supporting us in such a difficult time. I think it is very important for the boys, for the team, for the club. We all believe in victory and believe that next season more people will be able to go to the stadiums, show their support, come with their children and get emotions from football. It is very important for us.
– It's cool that we won two trophies! It is a hundred percent of this season, so it is great that we end it with positive emotions, so the guys who are going to join the national team will be able to rest, and those who have played less will be able to play football for themselves in the last two rounds. After all, the whole team work, but not everyone always plays, so it is important for the guys who have played less. The task for the season has already been completed, now you can rest a little and prepare for the next one.
– Shakhtar have not won the Cup since 2019. Was there a feeling that this trophy would add to the collection of the Miners?
– It is 100 percent. It is clear that we played for victory, came for gold medals and were ready to win. We dominated in the match and, I believe, completely outplayed our opponents and deservedly won.
– It is the eighth victory in the Ukrainian Cup for you personally. What does it mean to you?
– That I got into a team that always play for the first spot. I’m very happy to be here and win trophies with the club. This is very important to me. But it is not easy: it only seems that Shakhtar are here, so it is easy to win. It's really hard to win trophies every year, stay motivated, keep going and keep fit no matter what. That is why it is very, very important to me.
– Regarding trophies. Much was written in the media that Shakhtar will come up with Dynamo in terms of the number of Ukrainian trophies in case of victory in the Cup. Have you followed these statistics?
– I remember that this is the second time we have caught up with Dynamo. We let them go for a while back then, but now caught up again. Indeed, they write about it, and I follow it. It is very cool when Shakhtar catch up with Dynamo in terms of trophies, it is a historic event for the Donetsk club. That is why we are working to be the number one team in Ukraine. And so far we are doing it right.
– I would also like to ask about the match. What can you say about the game and what was the key moment?
– I think we analysed our opponents well, with them not showing us anything new: everything we discussed and practised during training worked out exactly that way. In the first half, they had a one-on-one chance, but when we scored the first goal, everything became clear. The opponents played in a low block and relied more on counter-attacks, so when we scored, it became much more difficult for them.
– Fans are an integral part of all our victories. What is your captain's message to all our Orange-and-Black fans?
– I must say that it was really a very cool atmosphere, we missed such an atmosphere when the stadium is practically full. There were many Shakhtar fans and I would like to thank them for coming and supporting us in such a difficult time. I think it is very important for the boys, for the team, for the club. We all believe in victory and believe that next season more people will be able to go to the stadiums, show their support, come with their children and get emotions from football. It is very important for us.