Real Madrid midfielder Lucas Vazquez answered journalists' questions before the Champions League match against Shakhtar.
Lucas Vasquez— What can you say about the upcoming game?
— A very important step for us. If we win tomorrow, then we guarantee ourselves the first place in the group and reach the playoffs two rounds before the end of the group stage. This will give us the confidence to continue on our path and win. It's hard to achieve, but we're preparing well and we're happy with how the season is going.
- Are you ready to play as a right-back?
— Yes, I consider myself a right-back. I adapted very well, I feel comfortable playing in this position in every game and every training session.
— How is the physical condition?
- I'm already fine - I recovered from the injury and I feel good.
- Do the players have any thoughts about the future match with Barcelona?
- It is inevitable that they will talk about it. Everyone has such an important game as El Clásico in their sights, but now we are only focusing on tomorrow's match, because this is a very important step towards reaching the next round of the Champions League.
— What do you think about the situation in Ukraine, where many cities were attacked today, including Kyiv? What do you think, what is the morale of Shakhtar players now?
— It is very difficult for me to imagine what is happening in Ukraine now. It would be very difficult for us to survive the situation in which Shakhtar find themselves. This complicates everything. We want everything to end as soon as possible and that there be peace in Ukraine.
- This season, Real Madrid is not considered the Champions League favorite...
— It doesn't bother us, it's another motivation. Last year, we were not considered favorites, and in the end we won the Champions League. It depends on us how well we perform and whether we can win. And this is what we do every year. We believe that winning the Champions League is not an accident or luck. Every Champions League is harder and the fact that we have won this tournament so many times in recent years is a source of pride and makes us very happy. What others think doesn't really matter.
- What are your memories of the match at the Legia stadium 6 years ago?
- We played then behind closed doors and finished with a score of 3:3. I remember that Bale scored a great goal with a volley.
