The head coach of Donetsk Shakhtar, Marino Pušić, comments on the path of the miners in the 2023/2024 Ukrainian Cup, highlights the atmosphere of the final match and the tenacity of opponents in the decisive duel, as well as emphasizes the special motivation of Donetskan to win this year's tournament.

— Mr. Marino, on May 15, Shakhtar will play the final against Vorśyla in the Ukrainian Cup. You have the opportunity to win your second trophy with the miners. What does this mean for you as a coach?

— The final is an important event. I always say that you play in the final to win the final. We take this game very seriously.

This is a special day, and we are eagerly awaiting the match. We really want to win the Ukrainian Cup, so we will give our all.

— Shakhtar confidently passed the tournament distance, winning all three matches on the way to the final. Which confrontation stands out for you the most – with Veres, Viktoriya or Chornomorets? And did opponents pose any difficulties to your team in those encounters?

— I remember all these matches. Each match has its own specificity, energy and history. I will highlight the semi-final encounter with Chornomorets when we made certain changes after a goalless draw that worked out for us. But still, it's important not to forget that each match is very important, and this is how we approach them.

— What are your thoughts on Vorśyla, which will face Shakhtar in the final? And what do you expect from the final encounter?

— We have already played against Vorśyla this season, and it is a very tough opponent. Yes, some of their recent matches haven't been too successful for Poltava's team. But the final of a cup tournament is always special for every collective. You need to be at your peak form to make a difference in the game. And we will try to do everything possible to win this match.

— The last time Shakhtar triumphed in the Ukrainian Cup was five years ago – in 2019, defeating Ingulets from Petrove in Zaporizhzhia. What do you say about the motivation of the boys ahead of the final? Have they grown hungry for a victory in this tournament?

— Of course, time has passed since Shakhtar last won the Ukrainian Cup, and we are very motivated to bring back that trophy.

— Along with Dynamo, Shakhtar leads in the number of victories in national cup competitions (13 each). Do you find it exciting that Donetsk's club could rewrite history and become the most decorated in the entire history of the Ukrainian Cup?

— Of course, statistics are interesting for fans. But I and my team primarily think about playing style and fulfilling match tasks. We want to win the Ukrainian Cup. And if this helps us achieve the most trophies within these competitions, we will be very happy with that.

— The final of the Ukrainian Cup for the first time in history will take place in Rivne. Have you had a chance to familiarize yourself with this city yet? And what do you say about the stadium «Avangard», where Vorśyla and Shakhtar will meet?

— I am not familiar with the city, but I have heard good things about the stadium. Good grass and appropriate conditions for playing. So I am eagerly awaiting the final. This is always a special game, always a special atmosphere. For an athlete, there is nothing more important than the atmosphere of a final match.

— The tournament did not take place for two years in a row due to Russia's full-scale invasion. How do you view the return of competitions and fans to stadiums against the backdrop of ongoing security risks due to military actions in Ukraine?

— The National Cup is an important competition held around the world. Unfortunately, due to the aforementioned circumstances, this tournament was not held in Ukraine for the last couple of years. But I am very glad about its return. This tournament gives additional opportunities to teams and brings something special to the football life of the country.