- "Battle of the leaders of the championship". I agree with this definition of the match against Shakhtar? Almost a Game of Thrones?.

- I do not know if we can be called the leaders of the championship, because the season just started. Let's see at the end. I think the match will be interesting in any case. I would like to win, of course, but I do not want to guess.

- In this struggle for the throne - which place do you want to take personally with Olimpic?.

- As high as possible, like everyone else. It would be nice to get into the Champions League! (Laughs) - As soon as Shabanov went to Olympique as the team stopped skipping in the championship. Is this the secret of reliable defense?.

- Oh, that's an exaggeration.. We have the whole team working out for each other. In the defensive actions the entire team takes part, so it is not the merits of individual players, not only the defensive line, but the whole team.

- Media already talking about the need to call you to the national team. Such attention is not flattering?.

- No, I try not to focus on this. I work in training, I try to show my maximum in games, but the coaching staff of the national team decides. I think everyone dreams of calling a national team, I'm not an exception.

- On Saturday in Kharkov will have the opportunity to test their strength against the backdrop of the main defenders of the national team of Ukraine. Only the victory will suit your team?.

- It would be nice to win in such a match against such an opponent. We will tune in to a good game, anything can be. But it is unlikely that in the away match with Shakhtar we will be unhappy with the draw.

- Last year, for the draw with Shakhtar, the president of Olympic promised higher premiums. This season there is such an incentive to resist the champion?.

- I do not know, last year I was not in the team. Surely some kind of bonus will be, but we will play to win in any scenario. In such games, leaving on the field, you forget about everything and try to show yourself from the best side. It's prestigious to play well with Shakhtar.

- In Shakhtar you will be confronted either Facundo or Blanco-Leshchuk. Who is harder to play with? Or is it more difficult with midfielders?.

- Speaking of a one-on-one game, it's harder to play with faster and more maneuverable midfielders, like Tyson, Marlos and Bernard. They are very strong individually.

- Do you pay special attention in preparing for the match standards and working off the game 1 in 1 against high-speed midfielders Shakhtar?.

- Oh sure. We scrupulously prepare for the match, we disassemble the game of the opponent.

We will try to neutralize the strengths of the "miners" and find in their game the slack. Our coach will give us instructions, including on the game on the standards.

- Will not lose zero goals scored in the table - the main goal for the match with the champion?.

- The main thing is not to lose. And we extend our series without a missed goal or not - it's the second. The result is much more important than statistical indicators.

It should be noted that Shakhtar-Olimpic match will be held tomorrow, August 19, in Kharkiv.