English fans wonder where the striker went to decide the outcome of the most important matches. His fans in Italy ask about the same, finding him rushing about away from the hot zone where his bread is baked - goals. He replies: "I do only what they tell me." And he was always like that - Andriy Shevchenko. When he played for AC Milan, his discussions with the coach were so rare that now you can’t even remember them. In the first semifinal match of the Champions League against Liverpool, Jose Mourinho released him in the middle line.
“For Chelsea in this game, it was necessary for me to play in this position,” explains Andrey. - And I'm not used to discussing with a coach about team tactics. I was lucky to score important goals this season. And in that game with Liverpool we won, achieved the desired result. I am not selfish, I always think about the team, not about myself.
- In the match Manchester United - Milan, the fans saw very beautiful football, and you have only a battle at Stamford Bridge.
- The matches of Chelsea and Liverpool always go like this.
- Why do the coaches of these clubs so dislike each other?
- Because once Liverpool knocked Chelsea out of the Champions League. And now my partners crave revenge. As for the relations of the coaches of these teams, they do not seem to me to be people who transfer them to the football field.
- Rumor has it that Mourinho will still remain at Chelsea for next season. Will it please you?
- Mourinho has already left a significant mark in the history of the London club. With him, the team won two national championships. And now, under his leadership, Chelsea continues to claim victory in all tournaments in which it participates. What other comments are needed?
- Are you still convinced that AC Milan will play in the Champions League final?
- In Manchester, “Milan” played amazing football in the first half, but eventually lost. Mainly - due to the fact that the field left Maldini and Gattuso. And there is nothing surprising here. But “Milan” has everything to qualify for the finals.
- Italian football has recently lost its appeal. But in Manchester, it seems that Milan managed to get her back.
- “Milan” is liked by the fans because it always makes a play out of matches, plays with an open face. In the Champions League, my former club has already jumped above my head. Milan always respects its leaders, and players respect the club. From this their game is born.
- Who is better - Kaka or Cristiano Ronaldo?
- What is the strongest football player in the world now. He certainly deserves the Golden Ball and will definitely win it. If not this year, then very soon.
- Silvio Berlusconi recently said that a meeting in the finals with Milan will be a blow to your heart. He himself would have preferred the Milan final - Liverpool.
“I don't want to think about it.” There is another match ahead of the finals. Of course, such an evening that you predicted can become very emotional and difficult for me. After all, Milan is not just my former team, but my family, part of my life. And for our clubs such an outcome would be fantastic. Reaching the Champions League final is already a great result.
- No less great for you was the determination of the location of Euro 2012.
- This is a very great success of Ukraine and Poland. Thanks to her, my country has a chance to get closer to Europe. We know how to work and show our best.
- Many regard Ukraine as an inappropriate choice.
“Those who say that we don’t have roads or hotels should just take a plane, fly in and see everything with your own eyes.” And when my compatriots stop talking about politics and unite around solving such an honorable task, stability will surely come, which Ukraine lacks so much.
- Back to the Champions League. How to explain getting into the semifinals of three English clubs at once?
- English football is on the rise, the stadiums are always full, there is general enthusiasm around the game. In football England, in comparison with Italy, there is an important quality - peace of mind. In Italy, tiffozi are furious with the latest scandals, they have stopped going to stadiums, and even football players feel betrayed by the system that controls football. But compared to other European countries, Italians have a unique weapon - passion. They love football more than anything else. And I sincerely believe that very soon Italian clubs will regain their leading position.
- How do you feel about the conquest of the Scudetto Inter?
- That was his year. Inter has finally achieved a balance in the team. There are great players and their corresponding coach. Of course, they deserved a scudetto, like Massimo Moratti, who invested tremendous funds in the team, driven by a genuine love of football.
- And what about Milan?
“I hope we come up with something interesting to play with him.”
- And then?
- And then let the strongest win.
Translation by George BYCHKOV