Forward of "Dnepr-1" Artem Dovbik - about the life of football players in the conditions of war and about the upcoming matches with the Cypriot AEK in the 1/16 finals of the Conference League.
“Now is the time that we should talk about the situation that exists in Ukraine. This is a difficult period for the whole country and for us. We live outside the home. It's hard, but the victories of our warriors on the battlefield give us double motivation. We are all watching, following the news from the front. When they are positive, it gives us some kind of superpower.
You wake up and watch the news - somehow it fills your head. One day you go to training happy, the next day you are unhappy. The main thing is that we support each other and do not give up.
We communicate, share news, we know what is going on with everyone. If someone needs help, then we help, everyone is open for communication. Everyone on the team helps each other.
We left the Conference League group, we are in first place in the Ukrainian championship, and I myself am the best scorer of Dnipro-1 and the championship so far. So everything is fine with me and the team. Representing a club like Dnepr-1 is a pride. Everyone knows that this is a team with character that plays to the last.
I think in the first two matches with AEK (in the qualification of the Europa League - ed.) were somewhere unprepared. There was a rather long pause, we were not physically ready for such matches. But I think that this experience will benefit us. We will do our best to advance in the Conference League. The whole team feels confident in their abilities. We will demonstrate this.
We aim only for positive results in the future. I would also like everything to stabilize in our country and we return to the life that was before February 24, ”Dovbik said for the UEFA video magazine.