Fernandinho: Shakhtar will bounce back

Nov 14, 2012 10:10:00 PM

The Brazilian midfielder believes the Miners have more mental toughness than in previous European campaigns and claims their dream of winning the competition remains alive

Fernandinho is bullish that Shakhtar can progress to the knock-out stages of the Champions League, even though the Ukrainian title-holders sit third in Group E with just two games to go.

A last-gasp Victor Moses goal denied Mircea Lucescu's side a valuable point against defending champions Chelsea in their last outing, leaving the Miners with ground to make up to reach the round of 16.

While he agreed that Shakhtar have reacted badly to defeat in Europe's elite competition in the past, Fernandinho stated that the team has grown and has the right mentality to overcome the obstacle.

"In 2007 we played Milan, who were champions at the time, and we lost in Italy and here. From there on the team lost their balance, our confidence vaporised," he said.

"Today we're more mature as a team. I have always said that it is the strongest competition in the world, so we have to take it step by step if we are to achieve our objective.

"Our dream is to win the Champions League," admitted the player who left his home country for Ukraine seven years ago."

Shakhtar's next Champions League game sees them travel to Nordsjaelland on November 20.

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