Shakhtar midfielder Viktor Kovalenko told about preparations for the spring season.

At the beginning of the second training camp Shakhtar midfielder Victor Kovalenko told how the team is preparing for the resumption of the fights of the championship of Ukraine and the Champions League.

- Everyone tries to show themselves and go to the optimal form by the spring season. We laid a good foundation in Turkey, where we did a lot of running work, and in Dubai we intensively train with the ball. For us, the advantage is that the Ukrainian Premier League will resume earlier than the Champions League. Ahead we have important matches, the gap from the pursuers is small, so we have to win to the second consecutive year to become champions.

- Practically every training begins with fitness. At this stage it is necessary to give such a load?.

- Everyone is important to have a good physical shape. Muscle pumping is also needed in order to have fewer injuries.

- Do you have time to recover?.

- Help the masseurs. Also of no small importance is cold water, and in the evening there is an opportunity to relax.

- Paulo Fonseca is already preparing the squad for official fights?.

- While we are approaching the second match with Slavia. Probably, the coach will give more time to other players - everyone wants to be at the start and work to the maximum.

- Do you feel useful from sparring?.

- Yes, we meet with strong clubs - they are difficult, but interesting. I want to win already, because it has not been possible for a long time, and the taste of victory adds positive emotions. Of course, this is more important in official matches, but at the training camps we always strive to achieve the result.

"Do you follow Roma?".

- I saw several matches. This is a serious contender, which includes star players. Roma is very strong. However, now our preparations for the first game of the Ukrainian championship are more important, and only then - the Champions League.

- And yet how do you assess the chances? They say that this is a good lot for Shakhtar.

- The match starts with a score of 0: 0, so the odds of 50 to 50. We also have a strong team, we did not leave the group in vain. Yes, Roma is not the most celebrity club, so the lot is really good.

The next match the miner will hold against Slavia on Saturday, February 3.

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