Former FC Dynamo Kyiv head coach Oleksandr Khatskevych has told us what he expects from Shakhtar Donetsk's clash with French side Rennes in the Europa League 1/16 finals.
Aleksandr Hatkevich- What can you say about Rennes, who beat Dynamo Kyiv twice in the Europa League group in the autumn.
- The Pitmen's opponents have a very young team. And instability is inherent to youngsters. If Rennes lost only twice in the first leg of Ligue 1, after the resumption of the season they added five more defeats to their record. The team sits in 6th place in the French league and Bruno Genesio's charges are apparently not at their best, both mentally and physically. The crisis of failure is certainly taking its toll on the team's play.
- But for all that, Rennes recently beat PSG in the French league...
- Yes, I agree. But PSG have been losing a lot - failures both in Ligue 1 and in the French Cup. Jovicevic has enough information about Rennes, now we need to use it properly.
- What can you say about Shakhtar, Mykhailo Mudryk and Serhiy Kryvtsov having left?
- Mudryk is, of course, a loss. Everyone thinks the Pitmen have become weaker. But the Pitmen had time at the training camp to prepare for the fact that they will have to play without Mykhailo Mudryk. The upcoming games will clarify a lot.
- Will Yaroslav Rakitskiy's return to the team strengthen Shakhtar?
- Of course it will. Rakitskiy has extensive experience, both football and life experience. Jaroslav seems to be injury-free, but what form is he in now? I am confident that he will surely add composure in defence.
- Some experts say that currently Rakitskiy is stronger than both Matvienko and Bondar. Do you agree with that opinion?
- In autumn Yaroslav played in the Turkish league, so it's difficult to offer an accurate opinion at the moment. One thing is clear - Shakhtar today needs Rakitskiy.
- Following Mudryk's departure, Shakhtar's management have not acquired anyone in his place. Why do the Pitmen's managers do that?
- I think Oleksandr Zubkov will play in this position in the midfield. I remember him playing on the left flank of midfield at Ferencvaros in Hungary. Sasha can move to the centre, and he has a good shot.
- Judging by winter training, Lassina Traore, who missed the year due to a serious injury, is also improving his game, due to which he looked rather weak last autumn.
- Traore had a very serious injury. He just joined Shakhtar at the time. Traore's level of play is high enough, we remember it from Ajax. He now needs to improve interaction with other partners. They won't expect any extravaganza from him in the spring but he must score. Lassina should help and not rush him, and he can thank the club with his goals.
- It's always the first official matches after a long winter break that all fans look forward to. And even more so now, during the war...
- I agree, football is one of the few pleasures for our citizens in times of war. Our players can and should give joy to ordinary fans and our soldiers. Soldiers of the Ukrainian armed forces can at least watch the games and reviews on their phones, and improve their mood, as it is thanks to them that we live. And for the players of our teams, I would ask them not to forget about it when they go to the football fields in Warsaw and Larnaca.
