Jovicevic: Competitiveness will help Shakhtar play a good match at Celtic Park

Press conference of Shakhtar head coach Igor Jovicevic before the match with Celtic.

– Igor, there are two more important matches in the group. Have you planned out what results are needed for the team to reach the play-offs of the Champions League?
– I'm not afraid of non-controllable things. We think about things we can control, implement on the football field from the first minutes as a game plan, and change in the half-time and in the course of the whole match. We don't do calculations, but follow our game models, our point of view, our philosophy from match to match. And when everything is over, we will draw up a balance and see where we are. Full concentration on tomorrow's match, which will be very difficult. We know whom we are playing against, we know how many people will watch us play and at what a legendary stadium we will do it, but it will only be a football match for us. We'll be focused on the game plan, we'll tolerate when we need to, we'll hold the ball when we need to play through control, we'll counterattack when needed. We have to be focused on football and do the things that will benefit us.

– Now the team has a high performance. Is this the limit or will Shakhtar be able to surprise us all tomorrow?
– Everyone strives to become better. It doesn't matter where you are now: it's important to know where you've been and where you want to be, who you want to become. And this process must be passed. Shakhtar started it, and we feel that we are growing as a team, that the players add confidence with each match and that we are capable of more. This does not mean that the result will come right away, but it means that you have the option of a winner. This shows that the team is in good shape and that the psychological state, tactical literacy, competitiveness will help us play a good match at Celtic Park.

– What can you say about the personnel status of the team? And how does Marian Shved doing?
– Shved did not come, because he still has problems with the adductor muscle. And Nazaryna did not come because he was not claimed for the Champions League. This is what concerns the personnel situation. Let's take another look at today's workout, after which I will be able to answer your question more specifically.

– You spoke well of Celtic in the previous game in Warsaw. Can you comment on why Celtic are now at the bottom of the standings?
– It's football. Each coach and all players are focused on their game. And we are only responsible for it, but we cannot speak for others. Of course, Celtic are the top team that deserves to be here in the Champions League. The group is very competitive, and the fight continues. This is not the end – every team has a goal and a chance. We believe that we will fulfill our plan.

– Igor, this is your fifth match in the Champions League debut season. How do you feel in the tournament?
– Stress is a component that I respect and love. When you are in your comfort zone, you cannot beat yourself, you cannot show your best qualities. Therefore, for me, stress and problems are a gift. I think so in life, not only in football. Only in such a situation is your greatest creativity and realization possible. And when you play at a level like the Champions League, against top teams, you just exceed your limit, you know yourself as a person: what you were and what you become. That's the point. And you continue to maintain this level, improve yourself every day when opponents and problems just exhaust you. And in such matches, I see that my team is competitive, even without experience, but thanks to tactical training, technique, ambition, energy, synergy, inspiration. It just amazes me and motivates me every day as a coach to work with them. If it can be called "thrill", then it is a thrill. When you look at the team that fights from the first to the last minute.

– You know Celtic creates a lot of moments, but doesn't implement them well. Do you think tomorrow will be the same?
– Yes, I watched a lot of Celtic matches and saw that from the beginning of a game they take high pace, high rhythm. This is too noticeable at home when fans push the team with their energy. Tomorrow will be the same, because they only need a victory. We are aware of this factor, and for us it will be a new experience. However, it is a great pleasure to play in such an atmosphere at Celtic Park. We believe that we can create another miracle. Over the past month, we have grown. These are no longer the Shakhtar that they were before. I think anything is possible. We have our game, our plan for the match, we have a 50 percent chance before the game starts. And we will be ready for an energetic start of the opponent, because in every match Celtic starts powerfully. We saw in the match against Real Madrid that Celtic had three goal moments in the first half. However, we are mentally and physically strong and ready for this. Undoubtedly, Celtic are the favorites tomorrow.

– There is an opinion that the Iranian national team should be removed from the World Cup and replaced by the Ukrainian one. What do you think of it?
– Yes, I know that this was stated by the CEO of Shakhtar Sergei Palkin. And I agree with him. This is a difficult situation for us because Iran helps Russia wage this brutal war and kill Ukrainians. And why should people in Iran happily enjoy football when children die every day in Ukraine? Iran has no place in this tournament. This is a step that needs to be taken. And I agree with our CEO. FIFA should consider it and make a decision.