At 25, Bondarenko is enjoying another important season with his Shakhtar Donetsk side. In an exclusive interview with Flashscore Italia, the midfielder talks about his current form, but also about those who gave him the opportunity to grow professionally and make it to the Conference League quarter-finals.
Flashscore: Today your Shakhtar is first in the standings together with LNZ Cherkasy in the league, but will also play the Conference League quarter-finals. Which competition do you favour?
Bodarenko: "I would tell you that for us, even according to our coach (Arda Turan), the league is more important, because winning it would take us back to the Champions League. But it is also true that the Conference League is an important goal, which we want to go all the way towards.
"Now we have AZ waiting for us for the first leg of the quarter-finals in Krakow, but I honestly don't know anything about them; the coach hasn't told us about them yet (the interview was conducted on Tuesday, April 7th).
As a coach, you had Roberto De Zerbi, with whom you started your career.
"He was a maestro for me. I had just arrived in the first team and, I must admit, if he didn't teach me everything, he taught me almost everything! I am convinced that even now that he is at Tottenham, he will do very well, for me, he is one of the best coaches in the world."
De Zerbi, as a player, was similar to you: left-back, offensive midfielder. What did he educate you in during training?
"(Laughs) In many things, he showed me, first and foremost, how to hit the ball with my left foot and, every time, he made me learn something new. I was dazzled by his methods, not only by the way he approached me. He was wonderful. He taught me so much."
Even a few words of Italian?
"Tutto bene!" (he says in Italian). The other phrases or expressions, however, I cannot say. They are all swear words! (laughs)"
Today, however, your coach is Arda Turan, another former footballer with an extraordinary CV. Is there a difference between the two?
"They are both very similar in terms of the emotion they convey to the players. And they are also similar in their style of play. Ultimately, both are coaches with great potential."
In the Champions League, two-and-a-half years ago, you challenged a 16-year-old, Lamine Yamal, who today already looks like the strongest in the world at only 18 years old.
"It's true. And it seems unbelievable, but that's how it is. Right now, I can't find a stronger player than him. He plays with a frightening confidence, at a very high level. I am sure that all the good words that are being said about him are deserved."
Shakhtar is your home, since you grew up there and went through the whole youth academy. How do you feel today, being away from your birthplace because of the war?
"I have a visceral bond with this team, which I still play for despite everything. But today I have a dream for everyone: the end of the war in Ukraine. After that, it would be great to re-embrace our people where we left them and return to play in our stadium (the Donbas Arena)."
What was it like when you and your team had to leave the country because of the Russian invasion?
"We had been in Kyiv for a long time, and as soon as the war started, we waited for directions from society. And only two months later, we actually left the country to play some friendly matches, with the aim of raising money for the victims of the war."
What was the year of absolute exile in Germany like? (Shakhtar played for the 2024/25 season in the Schalke 04 stadium)
"It was something very sad and painful. Unfortunately, we are used to not playing at home, i.e. in Ukraine. It is also true, though, that I was happy to meet Ukrainian fans wherever I went in Europe and the world. And I thank all of them for the support, even away from home."
Apart from Shakhtar, do you have a soft spot for other teams?
"I really like PSG, and I watch and show my teammates all the matches of coach De Zerbi's teams."
Who has been your role model as a footballer?
"I have three: Mesut Ozil, Toni Kroos and Sergio Busquets."
In Shakhtar, there are many Brazilians. Has their historical cheerfulness been important in dealing with difficult moments, such as those experienced over the last few years?
"Yes, it is true, they are always very cheerful and joyful, it is a blessing to have them with us. They transmit a lot of serenity to the team, and they also taught me a few words of Brazilian Portuguese. But, honestly, right now I still don't feel like I can go and play in Brazil (laughs)."
Who among them could play in the Brazilian national team?
"(smiles). Good question! I think, especially for the future, Alisson Santana and Isaque Silva have a good chance."
Talking about you and your Champions League experience: what is your happiest memory in this competition?
"Without a doubt, the match I played against Real Madrid in Warsaw. It was October 2022, and I was facing one of my idols, Toni Kroos. That match will remain in my memory forever, not only because we brought home an important draw (1-1), but also because I was elected man of the match."
At the World Cup, your Ukraine will be absent after missing out through the playoffs. Who will you cheer for?
"For Portugal, no doubt."
How come?
"I strongly hope Cristiano Ronaldo wins the World Cup."