Niko Kovac (Monaco coach):
“We didn't play the first 20 minutes as we wanted. We lost the ball too often, too easily. This is the main problem. It didn't help the confidence of the players. Then, after the goal, we felt good physically. We played a good game. But we lacked realism. We know we have to win to stay in the competition. You have to forget the first 20 minutes and focus on what you did next. We are opposed to a good opponent. We respect him. But there is no reason not to have the opportunity to win on the return. We believe in our chances. There is no reason not to believe it. We must not give up our dream. The one we built for 38 days last season. Maybe we'll have to fight more than 180 minutes and go into overtime?
I was not happy at halftime. I changed. Jean Lucas was very good, able to stay calm and make good passes through the lines. There is competition in the group. We reset the counters to zero at the start of the season, this also applies to Youssouf (Fofana, who is out). We had opportunities. But we didn't score. Currently, we need this goal, need to put in two or three to free ourselves completely. (On goalkeeper Trubin) He had a good game which kept Shakhtar in the game. We know he is very calm and he has been. What is certain is that he will be a very good goalkeeper. I know Pyatov well. And the fact that he is number 2 is that the holder is very strong. ”
Djibril Sidibé (Monaco defender):
“The Champions League context requires you to be ready immediately for a match.
This was not the case for 20 minutes.
I have no specific explanation.
We lost the first round.
There are 90 minutes left.
I believe in it, we believe in it.
We'll have to make the perfect match.
It's up to us to prepare it well.
It will be necessary to be present in the aggressiveness and to score goals, which has been complicated lately.
(On Wissam Ben Yedder) We expect it in this kind of match.
But it's not all about him.
It is up to each of us to give a little more.
We had a good season last season to play these matches.
There is fatigue.
But nothing is finished. ”
Roberto De Zerbi (Shakhtar Donetsk coach):
“Shakhtar Donetsk is not Real Madrid. We are 22 years old on average in this match. Last year Monaco finished 3rd in L1, beat Paris SG twice and could have finished higher. We did 25 amazing minutes. Then we lost a few balls which gave courage to our opponent. In the second half, we tried cons. But physically, we were a little in difficulty, like Konoplyanka or Alan Patrick. Having said that, all the players did a great part. Trubin, very young, had a great game, like everyone else. Otherwise, it would not have been possible to win in Monaco. From now on, we can still improve on the physical level, on our ability to get our opponent out of the match. The goal is to do 90 minutes like the first 25. (Regarding the return) We do notis not a team that calculates. We don't know how to do it. The probabilities of qualifying are the same as before. We are still going to do what the Shakhtar knows how to do: play football, honor the Shakhtar playing traditions. ”
Manor Solomon (midfielder of Shakhtar Donetsk):
“We started the game very well. We could have scored more goals before Monaco reacted and no longer controlled the game. We deserve our victory. Winning 1-0 here is a good result. But nothing is finished. Monaco is a very good team. Physically, she was superior to us at the end of the match. Technically, however, we are stronger. Now, we will do everything to be stronger on the return. ”
