I expect an interesting confrontation
Monday, October 21, 2024
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Former Shakhtar and Arsenal player Eduardo reflects on match expectations, team strengths and memories of the past
– Eduardo, we want to talk with you about the upcoming encounter and delve into the past ahead of the match between Shakhtar and Arsenal. What do you expect from the game and how do you think things will develop in this clash?
– I believe that the Champions League is a tournament of an incredible level and format, and, for sure, an extremely spectacular match awaits us. Of course, it will be somewhat difficult for Shakhtar, given that the team do not have a home stadium and are forced to play away. Despite the fact that Shakhtar will face Arsenal, which are considered one of the strongest teams in the world and truly are, I am sure that we will see a confrontation of strong teams. The most important thing is that an interesting game awaits us.
– What are the strengths of current Shakhtar?
– Shakhtar have significant and convincing experience of playing in the European arena. In my opinion, the strongest thing is primarily a team play, which is complemented by the individual qualities of each of the footballers. The team include many high-quality young and promising Brazilian performers, as well as good representatives of the Ukrainian football school. I believe that Shakhtar have every chance to demonstrate their football and make a statement with a positive result.
– What about Arsenal?
– The same description can be applied to Arsenal as to Shakhtar. Without a doubt, we are talking about one of the best teams around today who will be playing at home in front of their own fans, which will be a huge boost. I am sure that the atmosphere at the stadium will be incredible, it will be packed. Arsenal also have individually strong performers, and the playing styles of Shakhtar and Arsenal are similar in their desire to play attacking football and dictate their style of play. So, as I have already said, there will be an interesting confrontation.
– In 2010, you moved to Shakhtar from Arsenal. Tell us about this transfer and your thoughts at the time.
– If I reflect on that period of my life, it is definitely etched in my memory. I remember my transfer to Shakhtar, I remember every day – it was a truly incredible range of emotions. I felt both happy and maybe a little confused. I am very grateful to Shakhtar for that period of my life, for who I became, and for the kind of footballer I was raised to be. I am also extremely grateful for the opportunity to continue my career at the highest level. As for the 2010 match, it was a very strange and hard to describe feeling. Just two months ago, I was an Arsenal player, and two months after the transfer, I was already playing against my former team at Shakhtar. This feeling is hard to forget, and these matches are forever in my memory and heart. I managed to score two goals and it was an incredible moment that is difficult to describe in words. Shakhtar spent brilliantly that season, it entered the history of the club as one of the best.
– What are the emotions of beating such a team as Arsenal?
– Of course, as I already mentioned, it was an incredible range of emotions, and defeating a team of this level is a special kind of satisfaction. I can say that our preparation was not too different then, despite the fact that Champions League matches are at a completely different level. But we always prepared for all opponents with the same attention, and the game against Arsenal was no exception. It was always important for me to win through team play, and if I was able to help, it gave me confidence and a sense of euphoria.
– We are sure that you are currently following the performances of both teams. How have these teams changed since you played for both Shakhtar and Arsenal?
– Going back to those years, I think that Arsenal were going through a good period during my stay in the team. It was a great season, we consistently finished high, showed attacking play and delighted the fans. Later, the situation changed somewhat. I won't say it was because I left, but it just so happened that Arsenal couldn't get into the Champions League for a long time, even though they used to be regular participants in the tournament. The team even ended up in the middle of the Premier League standings, not fighting for big results. Of course, I am glad that this trend has changed and now Arsenal are once again one of the dominant clubs. As for Shakhtar, in those years they also dominated domestic competitions, in particular in the UPL, regularly achieved success in the Champions League, reaching the round of 16. There was a period when the club played in the Europa League semi-finals which emphasizes the high competitiveness on the European stage. Shakhtar have always been famous for the quality play of the Brazilians and the ability to work with talents, attracting footballers who fit the team in terms of its style and the vision of the coaches. My compatriots often scored both in domestic competitions and in the European arena. Of course, the war, which began in 2014 and turned into a full-scale invasion, has greatly affected the club. Shakhtar cannot play at home, the war affected all spheres of life. I sincerely sympathize not only with Shakhtar and their staff but also with all of Ukraine, the country where I spent such wonderful years. Although I am not in Ukraine now, I always follow the events. I am confident that Shakhtar will put in a strong performance and play primarily for their country, so I expect an interesting confrontation.
– It's quite a difficult question for you, but who will you support in the match between Arsenal and Shakhtar?
– This is actually a very difficult question; I will have to challenge myself a bit to provide the right answer. However, considering that I communicate with you and remember those wonderful years that I spent in Ukraine, I will choose Shakhtar with great hesitation. Both clubs are extremely close and important to me, they have a special place in my heart, but given the situation in Ukraine and considering that my son was born there, although he does not have Ukrainian citizenship, but has a birth certificate in Ukraine, tomorrow I will support Shakhtar. Ukraine is familiar to me, and all these factors influence my decision.
– Let's finish our dialogue with your address to Shakhtar fans.
– First of all, I want to wish for the fastest possible end to all the horrors that are happening now in your home, in your homeland. Never stop believing in the best – I'm sure it's yet to come. Do not leave your home club and your country, and let peace reign in your hearts, in your country and in your home. I wish you all the best and victory against Arsenal.
– I believe that the Champions League is a tournament of an incredible level and format, and, for sure, an extremely spectacular match awaits us. Of course, it will be somewhat difficult for Shakhtar, given that the team do not have a home stadium and are forced to play away. Despite the fact that Shakhtar will face Arsenal, which are considered one of the strongest teams in the world and truly are, I am sure that we will see a confrontation of strong teams. The most important thing is that an interesting game awaits us.
– What are the strengths of current Shakhtar?
– Shakhtar have significant and convincing experience of playing in the European arena. In my opinion, the strongest thing is primarily a team play, which is complemented by the individual qualities of each of the footballers. The team include many high-quality young and promising Brazilian performers, as well as good representatives of the Ukrainian football school. I believe that Shakhtar have every chance to demonstrate their football and make a statement with a positive result.
– What about Arsenal?
– The same description can be applied to Arsenal as to Shakhtar. Without a doubt, we are talking about one of the best teams around today who will be playing at home in front of their own fans, which will be a huge boost. I am sure that the atmosphere at the stadium will be incredible, it will be packed. Arsenal also have individually strong performers, and the playing styles of Shakhtar and Arsenal are similar in their desire to play attacking football and dictate their style of play. So, as I have already said, there will be an interesting confrontation.
– In 2010, you moved to Shakhtar from Arsenal. Tell us about this transfer and your thoughts at the time.
– If I reflect on that period of my life, it is definitely etched in my memory. I remember my transfer to Shakhtar, I remember every day – it was a truly incredible range of emotions. I felt both happy and maybe a little confused. I am very grateful to Shakhtar for that period of my life, for who I became, and for the kind of footballer I was raised to be. I am also extremely grateful for the opportunity to continue my career at the highest level. As for the 2010 match, it was a very strange and hard to describe feeling. Just two months ago, I was an Arsenal player, and two months after the transfer, I was already playing against my former team at Shakhtar. This feeling is hard to forget, and these matches are forever in my memory and heart. I managed to score two goals and it was an incredible moment that is difficult to describe in words. Shakhtar spent brilliantly that season, it entered the history of the club as one of the best.
– What are the emotions of beating such a team as Arsenal?
– Of course, as I already mentioned, it was an incredible range of emotions, and defeating a team of this level is a special kind of satisfaction. I can say that our preparation was not too different then, despite the fact that Champions League matches are at a completely different level. But we always prepared for all opponents with the same attention, and the game against Arsenal was no exception. It was always important for me to win through team play, and if I was able to help, it gave me confidence and a sense of euphoria.
– We are sure that you are currently following the performances of both teams. How have these teams changed since you played for both Shakhtar and Arsenal?
– Going back to those years, I think that Arsenal were going through a good period during my stay in the team. It was a great season, we consistently finished high, showed attacking play and delighted the fans. Later, the situation changed somewhat. I won't say it was because I left, but it just so happened that Arsenal couldn't get into the Champions League for a long time, even though they used to be regular participants in the tournament. The team even ended up in the middle of the Premier League standings, not fighting for big results. Of course, I am glad that this trend has changed and now Arsenal are once again one of the dominant clubs. As for Shakhtar, in those years they also dominated domestic competitions, in particular in the UPL, regularly achieved success in the Champions League, reaching the round of 16. There was a period when the club played in the Europa League semi-finals which emphasizes the high competitiveness on the European stage. Shakhtar have always been famous for the quality play of the Brazilians and the ability to work with talents, attracting footballers who fit the team in terms of its style and the vision of the coaches. My compatriots often scored both in domestic competitions and in the European arena. Of course, the war, which began in 2014 and turned into a full-scale invasion, has greatly affected the club. Shakhtar cannot play at home, the war affected all spheres of life. I sincerely sympathize not only with Shakhtar and their staff but also with all of Ukraine, the country where I spent such wonderful years. Although I am not in Ukraine now, I always follow the events. I am confident that Shakhtar will put in a strong performance and play primarily for their country, so I expect an interesting confrontation.
– It's quite a difficult question for you, but who will you support in the match between Arsenal and Shakhtar?
– This is actually a very difficult question; I will have to challenge myself a bit to provide the right answer. However, considering that I communicate with you and remember those wonderful years that I spent in Ukraine, I will choose Shakhtar with great hesitation. Both clubs are extremely close and important to me, they have a special place in my heart, but given the situation in Ukraine and considering that my son was born there, although he does not have Ukrainian citizenship, but has a birth certificate in Ukraine, tomorrow I will support Shakhtar. Ukraine is familiar to me, and all these factors influence my decision.
– Let's finish our dialogue with your address to Shakhtar fans.
– First of all, I want to wish for the fastest possible end to all the horrors that are happening now in your home, in your homeland. Never stop believing in the best – I'm sure it's yet to come. Do not leave your home club and your country, and let peace reign in your hearts, in your country and in your home. I wish you all the best and victory against Arsenal.