(Reuters) – Shakhtar Donetsk coach Igor Jovicevic hailed his side’s performance and courage after they defeated Real Madrid to a 1-1 Champions League draw on Tuesday and said they fought for the Ukrainian people to make proud.
A last-minute header from Real defender Antonio Rüdiger salvaged a 1-1 draw for Carlo Ancelotti’s side and secured a place in the knockout rounds after the Ukrainians scored a minute into the second half in leadership had gone.
“I’m proud that my team showed the personality of what it’s made of,” Jovicevic said at a press conference.
“In these difficult times, which we have been through, especially in the last 10 days, to go out on the pitch today and show this level of football … is to take your hat off.”
Jovicevic, who became Shakhtar coach in July, said the game was the best in three months.
“(Back then) nobody gave us a dime. ‘Without the Brazilians, how are we going to do it? We’re going to be the Cinderella of the group, the Cinderella of the whole tournament,’ we heard,” he said.
“And in the end… to play like that against Real Madrid and then to be sad in the dressing room afterwards… We feel like we lost two points and we can be proud of that.”
“We fought for the Ukrainian people to identify and feel proud of us and I’m sure they are.”
Jovicevic, who began his senior career as a player in Real’s reserve team in 1991, praised his side for the way they approached their more experienced rivals.
“We were clear with the ball,” he added. “We played daring football, with courage and it’s a shame for (Lassina) Traore that we didn’t manage to make it 2-0 and end the game with a win.”
The Burkina Faso international was inches from doubling Shakhtar’s lead in the 65th minute but his shot from the six yard box bounced off the bar.
“I can’t be very happy because if you score a goal in the last few seconds…it touches you a bit. Tomorrow, with a point, the team will realize what they did today,” said Jovicevic.
“Football sometimes gives you (things), sometimes it takes away from you. And there’s a chance they can score in the last second, just like you can score in the first minute.
“But I think we have a bright future ahead of us.”
Antonio Rudiger’s goal after 94 minutes and 31 seconds was the last goal scored by a Real Madrid player to avoid defeat in Champions League history.
The German defender beat winger Pedro Leon’s goal at the San Siro in 2010, scoring after 93 minutes and 16 seconds to level the game 2-2.