Jovicevic says that Shakhtar will play to represent the Ukrainian people
The Shakhtar Donetsk vs Real Madrid Champions League game will go on despite the recent bombings in Ukraine by Russian forces.
It is a difficult time to be focusing on playing soccer for Ukrainians right now. On Monday, Ukraine was attacked as Russian missiles came down on almost every major city. At least eight people were killed and 24 injured as the military said 75 missiles were fired from border to border.
Shakhtar Donetsk is set to host Real Madrid in the Champions League in Poland later today. Despite what is going on in their home country, the game will go on. Shakhtar is currently sitting at second in Group F behind Real Madrid, but ahead of RB Leipzig and Celtic after the first three games. It has been difficult for them to focus on their upcoming fourth match after the Russian attack on Ukraine.
“Many of us have families in Ukraine and we are worried about this situation now,” said Shakhtar head coach Igor Jovicevic. “We do not know what will happen in a week or what will happen with the situation. But we know that FC Oleksandriya are not playing today. Of course they aren’t. Who’ll think about soccer now, when there are more important things than soccer?”
“But tomorrow, we will not have to cancel the game. We must go out on the field. We have to go out and show that we fight for each other and that we represent the Ukrainian people.”