Castro: “Tomorrow's game will have nothing to do with the previous one”

Shakhtar Donetsk coach Luis Castro acknowledged this monday what Tuesday's game against Real Madrid will have “nothing to do” with the one played in October in the Spanish capital (2-3).

“Tomorrow will be a special match. We fully understand that you have to prepare for a very difficult match. It is a decisive meeting for both us and them to continue playing the Champions League, “Castro told reporters on the eve of the Champions League game. Castro admitted that “it is possible that Real Madrid underestimated many of those who played the first game” at the Alfredo di Stéfano stadium.

“I think that game surprised many, including Real Madrid. Tomorrow it will be easier (for them), as the teams know each other better. For Real Madrid it will be easier to guess our starting eleven, “he said. Portuguese coach considered it crucial that his players defend well, emulate what they have done, strategically, in the Madrid match and He stressed that his team will fight for victory.

As for the ups and downs of Zinedine Zidane's team, he considered that it is something that is happening with “a large number” of high-level teams. “But in what world do we live? We lose players one week, yes, another too. Up to three and four footballers. It could be injuries or COVID-19. Get used to it. Teams have become unstable, “he explained.

He called for attention to all the greats, from Liverpool to PSG to Manchester United to reinforce his argument that “all the greats of Europe go through difficult times.” “Now I don't feel like a coach. We are like managers and not technicians. We must react to what happens. Now I can't train. We cannot train. That is the world we live in, “he insisted.

In turn, he hinted that Trubin, 19, could be the starting goalkeeper on Tuesday to the detriment of the veteran Pyatov, 36. Trubin conceded six goals in the home game against Borussia Monchengladbach, but Pyatov conceded four last week against the same rival in Germany.

Moraes: “The loss of Ramos is a great advantage for us”

The Shakhtar Donetsk forward Júnior Moraes assured that Sergio Ramos's withdrawal in the center of Real Madrid's defense it is a big advantage” for the Ukrainian team.

“I really wanted to play against Sergio Ramos. Your withdrawal is a great advantage for us. Ramos for me is the best defense in the world right now“Moraes told the press on the eve of the Champions League match. Moraes, a Brazilian national and international with Ukraine, He stressed that “all Real Madrid footballers are of high level, that is why he (Ramos) will be replaced by a trained footballer”.

The striker, Ukrainian champion and Europa League semi-finalist with Shakhtar last season, He became ill with coronavirus, so he could not participate in the victory of the “miners” on October 21 in Valdebebas (2-3).

The match will be played at the Olympic stadium in Kiev, since Donetsk does not host meetings since the outbreak of the conflict in the Donbass, eastern Ukraine, in mid-2014. In this scenario, the Olympic, Real Madrid achieved its last Champions League, the thirteenth (2018), by defeating Liverpool (3-1) in the final, and Spain won its third European Championship (2012) by defeating Italy in the final (4-0)