26.02.2008 19:50

Here is the full version of Darijo Srna’s online chat with shakhtar.com users:

Question: You are the captain now. Does it mean anything to you and what are your duties?

Srna: It is an honour to me to be Shakhtar captain. Among my duties is to create a healthy atmosphere inside the team, to talk to my team-mates and to help them whenever they need it. A captain must be capable of leading the outfit on the playing field, encourage the layers. Captain must be able to end any possible conflict of his team with the referee, if you want.

Question: What did you do first when you put on the captain’s armband?

Darijo: I invited the entire team to a dinner at Donbass Palace. It was sort of an official inauguration (laughs).

Question: Who do you think is the most probable winner of the Champions League title this season?

Darijo: Manchester United. As to my mind they look superior to the rest of the contenders. There is no team better in the Champions League.

Question: Why not, say, Milan?

Darijo: I think Milan are tired. Yes, they are an experienced and strong team, but…

Question: Darijo, there is a great concern about Uklraine and Poland’s capability to host Euro 2012. What’s your opinion on this issue?

Darijo: I wish Ukraine and Poland were able to take this challenge. But I am sure everything’s gonna be okay. Ukraine’s weak side is the infrastructure: hotels, stadiums, roads, airports. There is a lot to do.

Question: You supported your Croatia team-mate Eduardo da Silva who received a serious injury in the Arsenal – Birmingham City match. Is it really such a great blow for you?

Darijo: It is a great loss for Croatia. I could hardly hold the tears back when I learned what happened to him. He is not only a superb player, he is also a great person and a good friend of mine. As far as I know, even Croatia prime-minister supported him. Such attention and care touched Eduardo. But he asked the journalists not to disturb him. He needs time to put things together and only then he will be able to answer all questions.

Question: what do you think of Lewandowski’s move to Moscow? If the transfer takes place – is there anybody in the team able to replace him?

Darijo: I don’t take decisions of such importance (laughs). It will certainly be a loss if he decides to leave the club. He is an experienced footballer, but there are many talented players who can assume his position on the field: Duljaj, Hubschman… But it all depends on the Club’s decision and on what Mariusz will be offered in Moscow.

- You are known for your mild character and for your ability to control your temper. How’d you explain the two yellow cards you were shown in the First Channel Cup final against Dynamo?

Darijo: It was my fault. I am not seeking any justification. But I am a leaving human being and I have emotions too.

Question: Could you explain how it happened that Shakhtar got kicked out of the European competitions?

Darijo: We should blame ourselves for that. Believe me, it worries us very much. We were very tired due to matches in the Championship, Cup, European competitions, national teams. But I repeat, we are the only who should be blamed for it. It is very difficult to struggle on four fronts.

Question: Are you in touch with Byelik?

Darijo: Yes, of course. He is my friend and we regularly speak on phone. He is getting used to living in Bochum. He is full of determination to prove he deserves playing in the first team. I think he is feeling homesick and is missing his friends and the team here. But it all belongs to our profession.

Question: Who shall take the three top places this season in the Vyshcha Liha (Premier League)?

Darijo: Shakhtar, Dynamo, Dnipro.

- It’s a shame Shakhtar will not meet dynamo this season any more, isn’t it?

Darijo: You are right. I still can’t get how we managed to lose then. But we have no rights to blame the weather, for the Kyiv team were playing in same conditions.

Question: Would like to see back someone of those who have left Shakhtar?

Darijo: Of course not. It was their will. The president let them go, so I don’t see any reasom why should we want to have them back.

Question: Who would you like to see at Shakhtar?

Darijo: My friend Luca Modric.

Question: Who do you think shall win the Euro 2008?

Darijo: I have no idea, but I can name four teams who have good chances: Holland, Portugal, Italy and Croatia.

Question: What is it that Shakhtar are lacking to beat Dynamo?

Darijo: Luck and concentration. Had we been luckier in Israel, the score would have been 3:0 by the end of the match and had we been more concentrated we wouldn’t have conceded a goal on the last minutes. I can’t find words to express my feelings… Sevilla, Celtic, First Channel Cuop final… It’d be time to end this tradition.

Question: Darijo, you are always taking free kicks. Why is it you?

Darijo: I don’t know. I am looking forward to start playing with Nike footballs. Then I shall be scoring from each free kick. I mean it. When I am playing with Nike balls in a national team match, I am sure to either score or to make a goal pass. I can’t explain it. I am happy the club has signed a sponsorship agreement with Nike. Now thing things are gonna be different.

Question: Who of Shakhtar Brazilians is most hardworking and who is most open for communication?

Darijo: I can’t distinguish anybody in particular. They all are hardworking and always open for a conversation.

Question: Were you surprised when Leonardo turned out in Spain?

Darijo: (laughs) You bet! I was stunned by his haircut.

Question: Darijo, you’ve been living in Ukraine foe quite a while. What characteristic features of our people do you like and what you don’t?

Darijo: If I didn’t like the people here I wouldn’t have prolonged my contract with Shakhtar.

Question: What is the climate in the team now? Do you think we shall win the Gold this season?

Darijo: Let me assure you that each player shall do everything he can to bring all possible trophies to Donetsk.

Question: What are the strong sides of Croatia national team?

Darijo: Strong sides? The new coach has brought us strength. And the team itself, the atmosphere in it.

Question: Would you write a book about yourself if you were asked to?

Darijo: It will happen soon in Croatia. I want to write it by myself, to tell people about my life. I’m gonna tell what young players shouldn’t do and what should be done. But, honestly, I don’t when I shall start. First I’d like to read a book by Dario Šimić. I want to know how did he do it.

Question: Which of the world’s best teams would you like to play in Donetsk?

Darijo: Barcelona.

Question: Fans usually not only praise their team but criticise it too.

Darijo: No problem about it. I am ready to accept any healthy critical notice.

Question: Do you often have to join an attack when there is only one forward in the lineup.?

Darijo: I have always tried to attack as much as possible, no matter how many there are forwards on the field. I am just such kind of a player. I want to be everywhere and I remain in action for as long as I can. I am not a purely defensive player.

Question: What does the coach require from you – passes, goals…?

Darijo: My prior duty is to organise the defence.

Question: Do you think Shakhtar academy players have chances to get in the first team?

Darijo: in an interview I have already mentioned one boy from the academy – Stanislav Prychynenko. He was with us in Spain. He possesses all qualities of a professional footballer. He is talented ad his left foot is very strong So, I think he has a big future.

Question: How do you prefer to spend your free time?

Darijo: I prefer to stay at home, watch videos, surf the Internet. Sometimes my friends are visiting me.

Question: In Croatia you are running a building business. Are you planning to do the same in Donetsk?

Darijo: I’d love to, but I am not familiar with Ukrainian legal system and I cannot find somebody who could do it properly here. In Croatia things are going fine. I have already sold a couple of flats to my national team partners. Two of them are Ivica Olic and Jerko Leco.

Question: You have seen many countries. Which do you like most of all, besides Croatia?

Darijo: Ukraine.

Question: Name you best match and your worst one.

Darijo: The best is the one Croatia played against England at Wembley and the worst is Shakhtar’s against Sevilla in Donetsk – because I had to miss it due to a number of yellow cards. .

Question: What match of the Championship’s second half are you expected to be most difficult?

Darijo: There are no easy matches.

Question: Don’t you want to move to another club?

Darijo: I always say that I am ready to move only to a big club. I rejected all offers I have received. I like it to be here.

Question: What sports are you also fond of?

Darijo: I like tennis.

Question: Have you seen recent Klichko’s fight?

Darijo: I have. I enjoyed it. I think Volodymyr deserves respect – he is the best.

Question: Which is more important: to make a goal pass or to score?

Darijo: To give a pass..

Question: Who’s the probable winner of the Golden Ball-2008 nomination?

Darijo: Cristiano Ronaldo.

Question: Arsenal Kyiv wants to sign Cafu…

Darijo: You can want to sign anybody. Shakhtar can say they want to buy Diego Maradona, but he is over the hill now. Cafu – is a great player, but, unfortunately, he is no more young too. But maybe he’d come in handy in Arsenal.

Question: Could you evaluate fans’ support at the stadium?

Darijo: I am grateful to them. We need their support.

Question: What features of your character need improvement?

Darijo: There are no such features. Let anybody else answer this question.

Question: Haven’t Stipe Pletikosa (currently playing in Moscow) invited you to try yourself in Russia?

Darijo: no, no. if I move somewhere it will be a European club. There are no clubs in Russia equal to Shakhtar.

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