Shakhtar fought for Ukrainians to feel 'identified and proud', says coach

Shakhtar Donetsk coach Igor Jovicevic praised his side's display and courage after they held Real Madrid to a 1-1 draw in the Champions League on Tuesday (Oct 11), saying they fought to make the Ukrainian people proud.

A last-gasp header by Real defender Antonio Rudiger rescued a 1-1 draw for Carlo Ancelotti's men and secured their place in the knockout stage, after the Ukrainian side had taken the lead one minute into the second half.

"I'm proud that my team showed personality, what they are made of," Jovicevic told a news conference.

"In these difficult times, which we've been going through in the last 10 days especially, to go out on the pitch today and show that level of football ... it is to take your hats off."

Jovicevic, who took over as coach of Shakhtar in July, said the game was their best in these past three months.

"(Back then), nobody gave us a dime. 'Without Brazilians, how we are going to do it? We are going to be the Cinderella of the group, the Cinderella of the entire tournament', we heard," he said.

"And in the end ... to play like this against Real Madrid, and to be sad in the dressing room afterwards ... We have the feeling that we lost two points and it's something to be proud of.

"We fought for the Ukrainian people, so that they could feel identified and proud of us, and I'm sure they are."

Jovicevic, who started his senior career as a player in Real's reserve team back in 1991, hailed his side for the way they approached their more experienced rivals.

"With the ball, we had things clear," he added. "We played a daring football, with courage and what a pity about (Lassina) Traore, not being able to make it 2-0 and finish the game with a victory."

The Burkina Faso international was inches away from doubling