“It isn’t easy. There’s a lot of anxiety and it makes your day-to-day harder. Before the Celtic game [on Matchday 2] we had a tactical session; while we were in the gym, preparing to go out onto the training pitch, the air-raid sirens went off. We were forced to stay inside. You know that preparations for a match are not the same for you as your opponents, but what can you do? Should you just head out to the pitch anyway? Will something happen? Rockets are hitting Ukraine from everywhere and the sirens have gone off; you’re advised to seek shelter, so that’s it. You just have to live with it, even if it isn’t easy.

“On the eve of our meeting with Real Madrid in Warsaw [on Matchday 4], the same thing happened. There was an aggressive Russian attack on Ukraine and instead of having a nice training session focused on Real, you’re all left wondering where your loved ones are. Are they in a shelter or not? Have they survived? Matches like these – against the holders – they should stay with you forever, the dream of all dreams. They allow you to prove yourself as an individual, as a team. Yet many of our families have stayed in Ukraine while we’re here, so there is always a part of you that is focused on what’s happening in Ukraine.

“Thinking simultaneously about where everyone’s emotions are and the tactical set-up for a match is extremely challenging. I am a human being first and foremost. I really empathise with the players; I can sense how they’re feeling. You can’t carry out a tactical session if you’re down and have no emotions.