Lucescu happy as Shakhtar pass opening test

Mircea Lucescu, Shakhtar coach
Nordsjælland had a good first half and they tried to control the ball. Their players' fitness began to tell after the break and I asked my lads to step it up. We started to enjoy more possession and the better of the build-up play. Still, we missed a number of chances.

I am happy with our defence as we hardly gave anything away, and when your back line plays with such assurance that confidence is transmitted to the attack. The game went just as we had expected: we knew it would be difficult. I am happy with the result, we collected an important three points.

Kasper Hjulmand, Nordsjælland coach
I stand here with mixed emotions. Obviously we are all disappointed at the defeat but we did not lose our DNA, our special way of doing things.

We have the feeling that the match was decided when they got the first goal shortly before half-time – that combined with the fact that we did not make enough of our chances on the counterattack.

However, the fact that we were able to play with the courage and calmness that we did gives us faith in our way of doing things. We are on the right track.