Shakhtar midfielder Mykhailo Mudryk commented on the victory over Leipzig and his goal in the Champions League, and also answered the team's critics.
Mikhail Mudrik. Photo: gettyimages.com- What does the victory over Leipzig mean for you and for the team?
- What happened was what we believed in and what we aspired to. Fantastic result. Almost all pupils of the club played. This victory is very memorable for all the people, for all Ukrainians, for the Armed Forces of Ukraine. It is a great blessing to share it with all the people.
— You scored an amazing goal. Where did the strength come from in the 76th minute for such a breakthrough?
“To be honest, it was already hard. At the 76th minute there was a jerk, and at the 75th minute there were already cramps in the calves. There was a thought in my head: if you endure this difficult period, perhaps God will give you a chance, and it happened.
- For you, this is your debut goal in the Champions League. What does he mean?
- I remember how many times I practiced such game elements, how much time it took to achieve this goal and, in general, to score and bring results. This is a big step, but only a step - a lot is still ahead. I am very glad that I was able to please my parents and all Ukrainians with a goal, because they deserve it.
— What was the key moment of the game?
- It seems to me that our approach to the game was key, because we were not afraid and believed in each other. But if you look at the match chronologically, the key moment happened when we conceded a goal and after that we didn’t sit down, but continued to play. Then we managed to score the second goal, which was very important.
- After the game, the team was in the locker room for a long time: did they celebrate the victory or did everyone try to feel the reality and believe in what happened in reality?
- Both. I want to extend this night as much as possible, I don’t want to just come into the room and go to bed, because such victories don’t happen every day. Today we will rejoice, but tomorrow we will prepare for the next game.
- Shakhtar were predicted to have a difficult path in the Champions League, but the victory over Leipzig showed that the team would not be an outsider in the group. What do you say to the skeptics?
“He who hates will hate, but that’s okay. Many did not believe in us and said that if we scored two points with the Brazilians and De Zerbi, then this team would be run over by a skating rink. They said that it would be good if we just managed to score at least two goals. It is better to prove everything by deeds than just talking and telling who will play and how.
