Stepanenko: Leipzig is a quality German team with powerful players who demonstrate fast, vertical football

Midfielder Miner Taras Stepanenko shared his expectations from the match of the first round of the group stage Champions League against RB Leipzig. According to him, the young players of Gornyakov are ready for an important game.

“Leipzig are a quality German team with powerful players who show fast, vertical football. They have fast forwards and we have to be alert and ready for that. We played a lot with German clubs, and I can say that it is difficult with them, nevertheless we had and are having good results in those matches. Tomorrow we will try to show beautiful football and get the result.

I didn’t say anything to anyone. I remember my feelings before the first match in the Champions League, I was very worried, but the only thing I heard before the game was that you are ready. They are ready, Mister is also ready, I’m sure, so it’s important that they go out, show what they can at the moment, and just enjoy the atmosphere, the level and the full stands. I think they have everything: talent, hard work and potential to play good football and achieve results.

This is also a first for us. It is difficult to describe my feelings during training in Kyiv, but day after day we approach training in such conditions without any problems at all. In training, you must be prepared to hear alarm sounds, and then you need to go for cover. But every day you are proud of your country. I train and do my best for my country. This is our way, this is our spirit, we must overcome this,” Stepanenko said.

This season, the 33-year-old midfielder has played three matches for Shakhtar in the Ukrainian championship, in which he did not score.

The match between RB Leipzig and Shakhtar will take place on Tuesday, September 6. The game starts at 22:00 Kyiv time.