Henrikh Mkhitaryan: "We prepared thoroughly."

Shakhtar’s Armenian midfielder answered the questions on the eve of the match against Borussia Dortmund.

- Henrikh, the team has two foreign training camps and the preparation stage in Donetsk behind. How do you assess the degree of the team’s readiness before the Champions League tie?

- I can say that our preparation during each of those camps was thorough. We will do everything to approach this meeting fully prepared and play the way our head coach wants.

- Which of Borussia’s group stage games do you remember the most?

- It is difficult to single out any. These were the games against Real, Manchester City, Ajax - they, like us, had a very tough group. The Dortmund side’s performance in those fights shows that the team have the highest level of game discipline, strong players and team game.

- Can we regard as their advantage the fact that Borussia already played a few matches in the national championship since the winter break?

- Yes, they were playing some league games, and we just had friendlies, but I think there is no big difference.

- It’s still February, but the weather is not that wintry. Which side can use it more to their advantage?

- We still have one more day, the weather can change. (smiling) We have many Brazilians in the squad, but this Ukrainian winter is not the first for any of them, so everyone is used to it and all will be ready.

FC Shakhtar
Press Office