The head coach of Shakhtar Donetsk Igor Jovicevic told what he expects from the first match of his team with the Dutch Feyenoord in the 1/8 finals of the Europa League, which will be held today in Warsaw.
"We are expecting a hard game, and even if all our players could play, it would still be hard. There is a plan, there are soccer arguments that we can oppose Feyenord. We know their weaknesses and strengths, we understand what they are like on the pitch and in what shape they are in.
The players who appear on the field will be ready to give their all on the field, and I don't doubt that for a minute. It is clear that we must play in an organized, disciplined and focused manner, because we will be facing a good team. But I am confident that my team will fight from the first to the last minute and we will believe in the result. There are two games in our confrontation, and this game is only the first. Yes, it can be important from a strategic point of view, but we go from game to game. We will play to win and give everything we can for that.
As for the opponent, Feyenoord is a good, organized team with good combination soccer and a plan for the game. In the games that we saw, it was evident they have the resource thanks to which they outplay their opponents. There are individually strong players, Feyenoord has strong performers in each position, but I would also note the teamwork. The opponents are in good form, they score a lot, feel confident and victories only add strength and confidence in their own abilities. But we are also in good shape, and they are preparing for us as we are for them," Jovicevic said at the pre-match press conference.