Henrikh Mkhitaryan: "Freshen up the team? I can only be guessing."

In an interview to Kateryna Zhydkova (Sport-Ekspress in Ukraine newspaper), the Shakhtar midfielder shared his take on the team’s performance in the Champions League and the domestic top flight.

On the performance of Shakhtar Donetsk in the Champions League:

- Probably, the press people know it better: we played, you watched it from the sidelines. Our team was focused on producing result, and we achieved it in the group stage. However, in Dortmund, we apparently failed to fulfill the head coach’s game plan and didn’t do everything we are capable of. Three months without any official matches has also played its part – I wouldn’t dismiss the fact that we just missed the rhythm of the game.

About the draw at Donbass Arena:

- Our chances were realistic even at 0-2 in the return game. There were enough scoring chances against Borussia in the second half that might have been converted into goals. Had we scored twice - it could have resulted in extra time or even in a penalty shoot-out. But after the third goal, we had nothing to count on.

About Mircea Lucescu’s phrase:

- You’d better ask him this question. He's the head coach, and he knows it better. Possibly, further acquisitions or changes in the training will follow. I, just like you, can only guess what he meant by that phrase.

About Borussia:

- The German side are really strong. It is no accident that they topped the group, leaving Real Madrid and Manchester City behind. If Borussia continue to play in the same way, they will have every chance of making it to the Champions League final.

About Barcelona:

- For me, it did not matter which team to play. Both Barcelona and Borussia are serious contenders, who finished top of their groups. Notwithstanding the fact that the Spaniards don’t show their regular game in all matches, Barcelona are Barcelona, and it can’t be argued.

On rehabilitation:

- We have corrected the past mistakes and have produced a decent result. After correcting the present errors, we will progress even further next season.

About the league title glory:

- There are ten more matchdays to go in the league, and our being ahead of the other contenders does not mean anything. We need to win all the remaining games to retain the top spot and qualify directly into the Champions League group stage. This tournament is a real test for us.

About the other challengers to the domestic league title:

- I believe that Dynamo, Dnipro and Metalist will struggle to the last breath. From matchday to matchday, the teams swap places with one another: who could have imagined that Dynamo would slide into the fourth spot after their home draw against Kryvbas?

About the idea of the joint CIS League:

- I do not mind. It can result in a very interesting tournament...