Sub-Standard Dynamo Irk Semin

Yuri Semin conceded FC Dynamo Kyiv "didn't play at their best" as they were held at home by Mircea Lucescu's FC Shakhtar Donetsk, with the Romanian pleased that a half-time ticking-off helped his side to equalise. The home side's Artem Milevskiy forced Ukrainian international team-mate Dmytro Chygrynskiy to put through his own goal for the opener, but Shakhtar's Fernandinho made it 1-1 after the break.

Yuri Semin, Dynamo coach
The game was very difficult, nervy and our players failed to stand the pressure; they didn't play at their best. After the opening goal we had chances to score again. At half-time I told my players to keep their shape and push on – they couldn't. I don't understand why we lost so much possession in the second half. Milevskiy may have had a bit of a knock but even with a little injury Milevskiy was useful on the pitch. He was pretty much the only person troubling Shakhtar's defence. We have to accept this but we have another match to make amends and try to secure the necessary result. We were in a similar situation after the first leg against Valencia and we did alright there.

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Mircea Lucescu, Shakhtar coach
This was a very difficult game for both teams. We know each other so well. We made too many errors in the first half – my players seemed burdened by the importance of the occasion. Dynamo were the better team in the first half, they used the ball well and had more possession even if their first real dangerous moment brought their goal. At half-time I told my players that they hadn't done 20 per cent of what I told them in the team talk. I reminded them that they needn't be afraid, as they were in the first half.

The second half was very different. We controlled more of the ball, kept our shape and Willian and [Olexandr] Gladkiy made good impressions as substitutes; they brought something extra. The result here is fair but it's only the first part and the second leg may be even harder because at home you have to focus on other things. Overall, though, we are satisfied with the result.

( John Atkin / UEFA )