We need to stay focused
Monday, April 13, 2026
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Shakhtar goalkeeper Dmytro Riznyk spoke to UPL.TV about the draw with LNZ and shared his thoughts on the upcoming clash with AZ Alkmaar
– LNZ’s attitude is understandable as their players admit that this result suits them. But you are probably leaving Cherkasy disappointed?
– Nothing has changed for us. Of course, we could have gained an extra three-point advantage, but this is football and these things happen.
– One key question straight away: we noticed that during Shakhtar’s second goal, several of Arda Turan’s assistants were signalling something to you, and you responded with gestures. Was that pass pre-planned?
– We were in communication, and the coaches advised what needed to be done and what would be the right decision. It’s good that everyone followed the instructions and we managed to execute everything. We prepared for the opponents, so the pass was intentional.
– Shakhtar travel a lot, and we’ve heard Arda Turan and Darijo Srna speak about this. Dmytro, as someone who experiences these journeys by bus, train and plane, how do you manage to maintain your emotions under such conditions? How would you assess the past week?
– There are challenges with travel, but the management do everything possible to ensure we get to matches in the most comfortable way. We have this schedule, but it’s our job, and everyone must approach it professionally. The most important thing is the result.
– You have a very comfortable advantage over AZ after the first leg, but the team will probably remember a similar situation after the game against Lech. What is your approach to the return game in Alkmaar?
– It will be a completely different game as AZ will be playing in front of their home fans, and nothing has been decided in this tie yet. We must not relax. We need to stay focused until the end to go through because mistakes at this level are not forgiven.
– Nothing has changed for us. Of course, we could have gained an extra three-point advantage, but this is football and these things happen.
– One key question straight away: we noticed that during Shakhtar’s second goal, several of Arda Turan’s assistants were signalling something to you, and you responded with gestures. Was that pass pre-planned?
– We were in communication, and the coaches advised what needed to be done and what would be the right decision. It’s good that everyone followed the instructions and we managed to execute everything. We prepared for the opponents, so the pass was intentional.
– Shakhtar travel a lot, and we’ve heard Arda Turan and Darijo Srna speak about this. Dmytro, as someone who experiences these journeys by bus, train and plane, how do you manage to maintain your emotions under such conditions? How would you assess the past week?
– There are challenges with travel, but the management do everything possible to ensure we get to matches in the most comfortable way. We have this schedule, but it’s our job, and everyone must approach it professionally. The most important thing is the result.
– You have a very comfortable advantage over AZ after the first leg, but the team will probably remember a similar situation after the game against Lech. What is your approach to the return game in Alkmaar?
– It will be a completely different game as AZ will be playing in front of their home fans, and nothing has been decided in this tie yet. We must not relax. We need to stay focused until the end to go through because mistakes at this level are not forgiven.