Henrikh Mkhitaryan: Some players were tired
Having won the 2012/13 Ukrainian Cup, Shakhtar midfielder shared his impressions, according to FC Shakhtar press office.
- Henrikh, you've had a few great chances today. Why didn’t you manage to convert them?
- Most importantly, the team have won. It managed to provide an assist. Never mind my failure to score – it’s all right.
- Did Chornomorets cause you a lot of problems today?
- In the first half, the Odesa side played very tough, shutting us out throughout. It is good that we managed to score a goal just before the break. My opinion is that by that time, still at 0-0, Chornomorets were already anticipating the near end of the first half, the players wanted to listen to a new game plan from the coach, so they got a bit slack. We, in our turn, managed to find a hole in their defence and score a goal. Therefore in the second half, it was much easier for us to play, because Chornomorets already had to reduce the deficit, and we could find open spaces.
- That is the win can’t be called an easy one?
- No, no, we never have easy games, especially since it was the Ukrainian Cup final. It might seem to an onlooker that the victory was easy, but believe me, it wasn’t. Three days ago, we played a league game. Mister carried out rotation, changed a few players, but still some of the players were tired today. However, this notwithstanding, each player gave his all to make the team win.
- Henrikh, the team celebrated the victory unusually, with live music. Is it Shakhtar’s new tradition now?
- Oh, I didn’t bring that stuff. (Smiling) Ask the Brazilians.
- On Friday, Shakhtar are to play a challenging game against 111 children. Will the team be strong enough after today’s decider?
- Of course! It’s always nice to play young children. There will be great emotion and desire. I think it will be a festival for them. We are pleased to play the match!