Dynamo president Ihor Surkis talked about expectations from the Champions League qualifying match with Fenerbahce, the situation with the club's transfers, and also explained why he switched to communicating in Ukrainian.
Ihor Surkis— Are you worried about Fenerbahce?
— If we had won the training matches, I would have been worried too. That's why I'm worried, as always, when such responsible matches. And I will worry from the first to the last minute.
— How pleased are you with the team's performance in the offseason? Is she far from perfect?
— Far from ideal. It is impossible not to play official matches, but only friendly, charity matches and be in the best condition.
— It's cool that Lucescu organizes matches with spectators against such rivals as "Lyon", "Antwerp".
— Yes, it's cool. Young players gain experience. But official matches are official matches.
— How ready is Buyalskyi to play? Does he have a leg injury?
— He has a small... 100% he will play against Fenerbahce, because he is a very important football player for us. I think everything will be fine, everyone will approach the match in the best form.
— Will there be a full house at the match in Poland? How are ticket sales going?
— As it seems to me, tickets are not selling as well as we would like. But, I think, there will be 12-14 thousand in the stadium (the arena is designed for 18 thousand seats - note). Mainly there will be our Ukrainian fans who were forced to move to Poland. I hope for a lot of support. We played in Antwerp, the support was very good. There were "Antwerp" ultras, then our fans shouted over them.
— You said that if someone is to be sold, then only after entering the Champions League. Has something changed? Got any suggestions on the table?
— Look, I said that I will not sell the team. This is a terrible war against our Ukrainian people, which was started by barbarians. On the contrary, it gives me optimism to keep a team that would please Ukrainian fans. I really want it. Football players take the field and will do everything possible to please our fans. Yes, as it was done by our national team. Only incomprehensible circumstances did not give her the opportunity to get to the World Championship.
Here is my opinion. I think all football players - both young and experienced, Sydorchuk, Buyalskyi, Kendzora, Verbych - understand that our fans need an outlet. Therefore, they will fight on the field. I hope everything will be fine.
— How close was Yarmolenko to moving to Dynamo?
— He was not close to Dynamo. We talked to him. I did suggest to him that he consider this matter. But we did not advance anywhere with him. He chose this path. I have a lot of respect for his way. He has young children, a wife, and stay-at-home parents. He is very worried about it.
I think the time will come when Yarmolenko can return to Dynamo. Maybe not as a player, but as a coach, sports director. I have great respect for him for his patriotic support. He deserves to finish playing and earn money for his family.
— He has only one year of his contract with Al-Ain. It is possible that in a year he may move to Dynamo.
- Everything can happen in this life. No one could have said until February 24 that the barbarians would attack us, bomb our children, the elderly, and the civilian population. It has happened, and we must fight on all fronts.
— When you approached Yarmolenko, did you also consider the possibility of selling Tsygankov?
— No, it was not related. To sell Tsygankov, there must be some kind of offer. They wrote about "Seville" there - it's all rumours. I confirm 100% that there was no real offer for Tsygankov.
— What about the other players?
— Why should we discuss what did not happen? The boys are ready for the match with Fenerbahce. This is a very important meeting for us as a society. Therefore, I will not now go into any details of the transfer market. When there is a decent offer, we will consider it.
— We spoke with you a year ago, and now your Ukrainian has improved. Maybe you have started going to courses?
— I don't go to courses. Yes, I communicate in Ukrainian, maybe I make mistakes, because you know that I spoke in Russian. But I cannot speak Russian today, because it is the language of our enemies.
