We’ve really missed the Champions League
Wednesday, September 9, 2026
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Shakhtar captain and defender Mykola Matviienko answered journalists’ questions at the press conference ahead of the Champions League match against PSV
– Good evening! It’s great to see everyone and I’m pleased to be here. We’ve really missed the Champions League, so we’ll do everything we can to make our viewers and supporters happy.
– You’re the captain of Shakhtar, and there are many players in the team who have never played in the Champions League. How do you get them ready for this game?
– We prepare for every game in the same way as we do for any other, so there’s nothing specific in terms of our training plan. It’s mainly about the psychological side of things, you need to be mentally ready for this level. And our coach helps a lot with that because he has a great deal of experience and a wealth of knowledge. He is constantly talking to the younger players and adding some interesting stories from his own life. And I think that makes it a little easier for them to cope with the pressure.
– First of all, congratulations to all of us and the team on the start of the Champions League – we’ll be supporting you. PSV have scored 14 goals in their last three games, so how impressive is that to you and what are you preparing for?
– It’s really impressive. They’re a very attacking team. What are we preparing for? For a very tough game. We have a bit of a negative experience against them, that was two years ago. So it would be really nice to repay the debt. So we’re expecting a very, very tough game and hoping for a win.
– The team are returning to the Champions League, and you’re one of Shakhtar’s most experienced players. How ready do you think the team are for the step up in intensity and responsibility that starts with tomorrow’s match against PSV? As you said, you already have experience of playing against them, so what can Shakhtar do to stop the opposition from playing their game tomorrow?
– I think we need to play our own football and make them play our football. Of course, it’s difficult because, as I remember, they have fantastic support here, which helps them a lot. But we’re Shakhtar and we always try to show who we are. We’ll try to make sure it’s the same tomorrow.
– Regarding the game two years ago. It was a truly crazy match: you were 2-0 up and conceded three goals in the final minutes. What lessons have you taken from that game?
– To be honest, I have very mixed feelings about that match. Because, in my opinion, we played very well until, I think, the 60th minute, when we had a player sent off. Of course, it’s disappointing because it was an extremely emotional game, but unfortunately, I’ve had games like that before, more than once, so I have the experience. Hopefully, as I said, we’ll repay the debt tomorrow.
– You’re in great spirits, and it’s great to see the players smiling so much ahead of such an important match. Is that Arda Turan’s influence or is it something else?
– As I said, we’re very happy to be here, we’ve missed it. And, of course, the coach is constantly encouraging us to think positively, and in general, we need to approach everything positively. If there’s negativity, everything will go wrong.
– You’re the captain of Shakhtar, and there are many players in the team who have never played in the Champions League. How do you get them ready for this game?
– We prepare for every game in the same way as we do for any other, so there’s nothing specific in terms of our training plan. It’s mainly about the psychological side of things, you need to be mentally ready for this level. And our coach helps a lot with that because he has a great deal of experience and a wealth of knowledge. He is constantly talking to the younger players and adding some interesting stories from his own life. And I think that makes it a little easier for them to cope with the pressure.
– First of all, congratulations to all of us and the team on the start of the Champions League – we’ll be supporting you. PSV have scored 14 goals in their last three games, so how impressive is that to you and what are you preparing for?
– It’s really impressive. They’re a very attacking team. What are we preparing for? For a very tough game. We have a bit of a negative experience against them, that was two years ago. So it would be really nice to repay the debt. So we’re expecting a very, very tough game and hoping for a win.
– The team are returning to the Champions League, and you’re one of Shakhtar’s most experienced players. How ready do you think the team are for the step up in intensity and responsibility that starts with tomorrow’s match against PSV? As you said, you already have experience of playing against them, so what can Shakhtar do to stop the opposition from playing their game tomorrow?
– I think we need to play our own football and make them play our football. Of course, it’s difficult because, as I remember, they have fantastic support here, which helps them a lot. But we’re Shakhtar and we always try to show who we are. We’ll try to make sure it’s the same tomorrow.
– Regarding the game two years ago. It was a truly crazy match: you were 2-0 up and conceded three goals in the final minutes. What lessons have you taken from that game?
– To be honest, I have very mixed feelings about that match. Because, in my opinion, we played very well until, I think, the 60th minute, when we had a player sent off. Of course, it’s disappointing because it was an extremely emotional game, but unfortunately, I’ve had games like that before, more than once, so I have the experience. Hopefully, as I said, we’ll repay the debt tomorrow.
– You’re in great spirits, and it’s great to see the players smiling so much ahead of such an important match. Is that Arda Turan’s influence or is it something else?
– As I said, we’re very happy to be here, we’ve missed it. And, of course, the coach is constantly encouraging us to think positively, and in general, we need to approach everything positively. If there’s negativity, everything will go wrong.