Ihor Jovichevich: "The challenge is very big - to play in the Champions League and to justify the status of a giant of the UPL"

Croatian coach Ihor Jovicevich commented on his appointment as coach of Shakhtar Donetsk.

"It's a very nice feeling to see all the football players who have arrived in Rotterdam. And the planned work is already starting. I see that everyone is motivated, that the team is ready to work with a smile. This period is very important for us to prepare for the maximum tasks that we set before ourselves.

The challenge is very big - to play in the Champions League and justify the status of the giants of the UPL. Daily work will give us the answer to the question of where we are at this moment. That's what the fees are for. However, we don't have much time, so I want to use every day and every training session to get the maximum out of each football player. I think everything will be fine.

When you are invited by such a big club, it is very nice and it is a good situation to progress, play on the maximum stage, so to speak, and represent Ukrainian football in the Champions League. In such a difficult time that Ukraine is currently experiencing, when Ukrainian soldiers are fighting for all of us, for our freedom, what we have to do is present on the big football stage, in the Champions League, the best we can. That is why we are proud and will work every day. This is the challenge that drives me forward," Jovicevich is quoted as saying official site "Miner".