De Zerbi: “No matter the rival, we continue with our philosophy”

Shakhtar Donetsk coach Roberto de Zerbi appeared in the Bernabéu press room to assess the Champions League game against Real Madrid minutes before his team took to the Bernabéu grass to train on the eve of the match.

“Given how the group is going, is it a final for you?” Will they keep their style of play?

“We are continuing with our principles and game.” We still don’t know each other too well. What we have done and progressed these months we will continue to advance and demonstrate our philosophy of the game. It does not matter that it is such a difficult opponent, we will continue with our philosophy.

“Is nothing going to change in defense either to stop Vinicius from playing a game like the one he did in Ukraine?”

—We have also seen the game against Barça and many other games. We are going to take into account Vinicius, Benzema and other players. Our philosophy will remain the same, we will continue to advance with our players.

“How do you see Ancelotti?” He has faced him four times and still has not managed to beat him.

—Carlo is a reference for coaches. Transmits tranquility to the players. We must see him as an example, he is one of the strongest coaches in the world.

—Vinicius is the man of fashion in Madrid. How did you see him in the field? Is it an example to look at to develop as a big star in Europe?

—I think Vinicius is an example for a lot of people. He has already shown it with his game. Although he is so young, he already wears the Madrid shirt, which weighs a lot for a footballer. He has shown his abilities, we can already say that he is an example to follow for many footballers.

—Ancelotti spoke highly of his philosophy. What do you value about Shakhtar’s career in the Champions League, where they haven’t scored yet? Does that hurt?

—I think it is a coincidence that we have not scored a single goal, because against the Sheriff we finished 25 times. Against Inter we had a lot of chances as well and up to the third goal against Madrid I think that too. We have played without Traoré, it is not a justification, but a fact. We are missing him, that’s true.

“Will we see Dentinho tomorrow?” Then the contract runs out. Maybe it’s his last game at Shakhtar …

“Dentinho left Kiev here.” You will probably be able to play. I do not know if we will put him in the starting eleven. Tomorrow we will see it. When it comes to his contract, Traoré’s injury is a complication. The extension of his contract has not yet been decided, we will see.

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Dodô: “It doesn’t matter that it’s Madrid, we have to go out and play our football”

– What do you remember from the last game against Madrid here?

“What happened last year has changed.” We have had many victories, but we have to forget about the past and think about tomorrow’s game. I trust my teammates and my coach. We have to go out on the pitch tomorrow and try to win the game with a nice game and a decent game.

“Do you understand that Vinicius was not called up by the national team?”

—It’s not my decision, that depends on the coach. Of course Vinicius tries hard. He plays very well and is a friend of mine. With his enormous work, he is sure to call you to the national team sometime.

“Does a coach help such young players?” If it’s not Dentinho, who’s going to score tomorrow against Madrid?

-It is very difficult. Dentinho is a good guy. He always tries to support all the young people who come because he has been in Ukraine for a long time. It doesn’t matter who can score tomorrow, the important thing is that we get a victory.

– What does your team have to improve tomorrow compared to the game a few days ago in Kiev?

—We know perfectly well that the first half against Madrid we played quite well. Of course there were mistakes. The most important thing is to arrive so seriously. We are sure of what we are doing. We trust the coach and we are ready for tomorrow. It doesn’t matter that it’s Madrid, we have to go out and play our football.

– How does the huge result of the first game influence?

“It won’t influence us.” Every week we are playing new games. That went wrong. In the league we have played well and shown what we know how to do and that we have significant potential.