Bogdan Butko: "Portugal is our group favorite in Euro-2020 qualification, but only on paper"

18.12.2018 16:01

Photo by Pavlo Kubanov

In its last match of the group round of the Champions League, Shakhtar failed to win against Lyon (1:1), and this did not allow the miners to make their way to the playoffs. Not surprisingly, the defender of the Orange and Blacks and the national team of Ukraine Bohdan Butko was not in the best mood.

- It is a pity, of course, that we did not manage to win, - Butko speaks. - Although it is worth paying tribute to the opponent, who created many problems for us.

— In general, did Shakhtar deserve to win?

- I think, no. Lyon had many chances to score. For such a game, a draw for us, we can say, a good result. Maybe if they played a little differently, the score would be different.

— And how it was necessary to play?

- Sometimes due to pressure the opponent forced us to think more about defense. We did not often manage to organize dangerous attacks. Somewhere, after all, there was a sign of fatigue at the end of the year. In addition, the personnel situation at Shakhtar is not the best. Someone was injured, someone just recovered from the injury ...

This result can only be accepted, rested and prepared for the spring part of the season, which will be no less intense.

— What did Paul Fonseca say in the locker room after the game?

- He said it was football. Today is the result, but tomorrow we will be stronger.

— How do you like the support of spectators at the NSC "Olympic"?

- Wonderful. Thank you to everyone who came in such weather to support us. It is nice when people in different cities of the country come to support Shakhtar.

- Not to mention the national team of Ukraine. How do you like the results of the draw of the Euro 2020 qualifying tournament for the blue and yellows?

- Our group turned out to be interesting. At first glance, the outsiders are the teams of Lithuania and Luxembourg, but I'm sure it will not be easy with these teams. I'm not talking about Serbia and Portugal anymore. We need to carefully prepare for these matches, then we can count on a positive result.

- Is Portugal a favorite?

- On paper - yes. However, in the game the national team of Ukraine will try to prove otherwise. I think now the team is showing good football. But to compete with the Portuguese national team, you can not lose points in other matches.

- Is Serbia an equal rival for Ukraine?

- The Serbian national team is a good team with excellent performers who play in Europe. However, we have a recent experience of defeating this opponent. I am sure that the struggle in our group will be intriguing.