Igor Jovicevic: Proud of the way we fought

Press conference of the Shakhtar Head coach Igor Jovicevic on the results of the match with Real Madrid.

– How do you feel about your narrow defeat in the match, which had been developing quite well for you? Did you see the opportunity to score points in this game?
– Yes, this match had a lot of everything. We did not have a grip on the experience, specifically in the beginning. We gave a lot of free space to Real Madrid, who are very good at finishing an attack. We lack the experience of such matches. Moreover, we did played against the best team in the world, and this cannot be hidden. However, the more we have matches of this kind, the better we will play as a team. In some aspects and moments, we were not just on a par with Real Madrid, but sometimes we were superior to the opponent. Our footballers played in such a way at some points that the best members of Real Madrid could not neutralize them. It makes me feel pride and positive emotions that will stay with me. I think Real Madrid deservedly won – they let it off for us in some moments. Mudryk had opportunities and in the end, we could have ended the match in a draw. But the adrenaline that is felt in such moments did not allow us to get the desired result. Nevertheless, we admit that we played against the best team in the world and understand that what we lacked today may be enough against other teams.

– You said that Real Madrid is the best team in the world. How do you like their game today?
– We are fully aware of their power. But even before the match, we noted that they do not always have to play great in order to achieve the desired result. The quality they show on the field is incredible. They have complete control over time. We can change flanks, combine, and then Real Madrid have one of their attacks and just score. Sometimes we can't play a complete combination game because we lack experience in this aspect. They create chances against us in a fairly calm rhythm because they know how to do it. And, again, the more such games we have, the more experience we will get and the calmer we will perceive it.

– Leipzig beat Celtic. How do you see your decisive matches against these teams?
– Every game is important. Now we will analyze what happened today from the point of view of the emotional part, so as not to make simple mistakes that were unnecessary. Many Ukrainians will come to the match in Warsaw – they will support us. I think the next game against Real Madrid will be a little easier thanks to the support of the stands. But, of course, it will not be easy. It is difficult to prepare for such a game, especially in conditions when you are forced to constantly travel. In addition, we must meet expectations, because everyone expects victory from us. What can we promise? That we will always fight. We will be focused, we will be motivated. And I think when the warm-up is over, we will show our best match. We can play well and we can surprise the way we surprised Leipzig. Yes, of course, today Madrid won deservedly, but our game also had positive moments that we will try to improve.

– Part of the Santiago Bernabeu applauded your players after the end of the game. What do you think about that?
– Madrid audience has always been able to respect, but they also know how to judge the players. It was the same before, and I myself felt it from my own experience. You know better than I do that in their first year, the players weren't what they are now. It's always an experience, the result of playing good, learning from your mistakes. Vinicius wasn't like that, and now he's one of the best players in the world. All I can tell my boys is that they can be proud of themselves for the struggle that was imposed on Madrid. Did we lose? Yes. Thank you Carlo Ancelotti's team for their play. But we are not left with bad feelings from this fight. I am happy with the way the match went: at first, there was a certain nervousness, Shved, Mudryk had their chances, but we cannot ignore the fact that the opponent was better and deservedly won. However, we also had good moments and got a positive impression of the game.

– What did you say to your players after the game, when you made a circle in the center of the field? And how did you feel when you returned to the Bernabeu?
– I say it again that our guys can come out of the temple of football with their heads held high. We made proud all the fans of Ukraine who saw how we fought, how we tried to realize our ambitions. And we are also grateful to our compatriots – we take an example from them: as they fight for freedom, so we fight on the field. And we have civic responsibility to demonstrate the same struggle and never give up. We simply must continue our efforts. I told them they could raise their heads higher and that the things they showed in this match might be enough against other teams. Perhaps something more is needed against the strongest team in the world, but with less powerful opponents, the game we have shown today may be sufficient. As for my emotions, it's been 30 years since I've played, but it's an incredible feeling to make my debut as a coach of an UCL team at a stadium like this, where I started my career so many years ago. This is joy, these are very strong emotions and unforgettable sensations.

– What memories and impressions do you have of Brazil and playing there as a Guarani footballer?
– Right, I played in Brazil in 1999. The coach did not really count on me then, and for nine months, I went to the Brazilian championship, where I got incredible pleasure. There are very good fans there who know how to support. We played against the best teams in Brazil: Paulista, Liga Carioca, which was one of the strongest leagues in the world. Playing against clubs like Santos was unforgettable for me.