Lucescu sets sights on Dynamo 'derby'

FC Shakhtar Donetsk coach Mircea Lucescu is relishing a "spicy" UEFA Cup semi-final tie against Ukrainian Premier League rivals FC Dynamo Kyiv after a 4-1 aggregate victory saw the side past Olympique de Marseille. Counterpart Erik Gerets conceded his team simply "didn't deserve to go through", although that did not stop the Belgian lamenting the absence of lady luck.

Erik Gerets, Marseille coach
We started well but could have had a bit more fortune with our early efforts. Their goal was disappointing as it came from a fairly simple piece of play; there was just a lack of luck on our part. We started the second half well but once again we failed to convert our chances. I have no grudge to bear with my team, who created a host of chances and had a lot of shots on goal. This game tells us that while we can play with our hearts it's not enough – the head is important too. It's a shame because we didn't deserve to lose tonight even if over both games we didn't deserve to go through. My players started to get tired after 55 minutes and Shakhtar gained control, passing the ball better which gave them opportunities. I hoped to go back to Ukraine but it won't be possible. We have got to consider where we are regarding player fitness before this weekend's game [at FC Lorient].

Mircea Lucescu, Shakhtar coach
We are through. We did not forget the first-leg result and defended very well in order to maintain our advantage. Marseille tried to attack but they did not get any luck as they created several chances. I think we deserve our qualification but tonight Marseille should have got a better result. I saw their players were very upset and I hope they win at Lorient at the weekend as they are a very good team. Now at least three Ukrainian sides are as good as French sides. Shakhtar have become more and more famous after three league titles and it's no a surprise to be at this level today although we could have reached it two years earlier. The 'derby' with Dynamo Kyiv will be as spicy as Marseille-PSG would have been. We'll now meet four times over the coming month.