Well-known Ukrainian coach Vyacheslav Grozny reviewed the first match between Dynamo and Fenerbahce in the Champions League qualification. A well-known specialist assessed the confrontation between Lucescu and Jesus.
Vyacheslav Grozny— Vyacheslav Viktorovich, Dynamo played with Fenerbahce in a draw 0:0. What can you say about Kiev's rival?
- We all again really want to see our Ukrainian football giants in the group stage of the Champions League. Just like it was last season. But for this, Dynamo Kyiv needs to pass the eminent Fenerbahce. By the way, he is a 19-time Turkish champion. True, for almost ten years this team has not won gold medals in the Turkish championship. And last season they were eight points behind the champion Trabzonspor, which led to another coaching resignation. This summer, Fenerbahce was headed by a very experienced, qualified and successful Portuguese specialist Jorge Jesus.
— The helmsmen of both teams are experienced specialists. You, as also an experienced coach, give your assessment to Mircea Lucescu and Jorge Jesus.
- I will tell you about the coaching confrontation with pleasure. The nuances, details and statistics of matches are presented by almost all media, experts and analysts. But the role of coaches is usually spoken of as if between the lines. But that's not the case here. Both coaches are very similar in some ways. They are very experienced, wise, and even both were born in July. Jesus turns 68 on July 24th. And Mircea Lucescu will celebrate his 77th birthday on July 29th.
— By the way, you were also born in July. You turned 66 on July 12th!
- Yes Yes! It really is (laughs). So I'll continue! Both coaches are professionals of the highest level, maximalists, winners who achieve success in different countries with different teams. For example, Jesus is now the head of the Canaries, and Mircea Lucescu previously successfully coached their main rivals Galatasaray and Besiktas. The Romanian specialist also headed the Turkish national team. So Lucescu knows Turkish football better than his eminent colleague.
At the same time, Jesus was very successful in coaching almost all the leading teams in Portugal, namely Benfica, Sporting, Braga. Only in "Porto" he did not work. It is worth noting that Jesus became the champion of Brazil with Flamengo, and also won the Saudi Super Cup with Al-Hilal. Both coaches are very demanding of themselves and their subordinates, they love game discipline and creative football. By the way, in that season, Lucescu and Jesus crossed paths in the Champions League group stage, when Dynamo met with Benfica, which was coached by the Portuguese. Now only one of these coaches and one of these teams will continue to fight for participation in the Champions League. But this is a sport!
- What do you think, in the current confrontation, which coach has more chances?
— Mircea Lucescu is more experienced in stressful situations. And he always finds moves that give the desired result. He knows how to get the most out of the situation. Dynamo has a stable roster, but due to the war of rashists against our country, the people of Kiev have not had competitive practice for a long time and there is no possibility of strengthening with the help of high-quality legionnaires who now do not want to go to our country.
Fenerbahce has other aspects related to the arrival of a new coach with his own playing style, his own vision of the game, a huge personnel rotation, by the way, including the termination of the contract with the eminent Mesut Ozil, who moved to Istanbul Basaksehir. In the near future, the leader of the defense from South Korea, Kim, may also change the club registration. It takes a lot of time to bring the players to a common denominator. And this, of course, is in favor of the Dynamo team, adapted to the game concept of their mentor.
- After a goalless draw, what conclusions can be drawn? How would you rate the first meeting?
- The result of the first match leaves equal chances for success for both teams. But once again I want to draw attention to this point. Don't focus on friendly matches. Do not pay attention to their results and compositions of too great importance. This means nothing. In such sparring, coaches make various variations, preparing for official games, which was shown by the first match with Fenerbahce.
By the way, in my opinion, Dynamo are better prepared physically. They act much better and more organized off the ball, win almost all rebounds, leads, interceptions, and also move from defense to attack faster. The Kievans make better use of the flank inclusions of their players, they look better in single combats. Some readers may not agree with me and will start to give the final statistics of the match. But the most important thing in football is not this, but the final score on the scoreboard.
As for scoring chances, I can say the following. At the 24th minute, after Dubinchak's chic inclusion and his excellent pass, Besedin had to score. Artem should have started a little earlier, and then he would have had time for this ball. By the way, I worked with Dubinchak at the Kiev Arsenal. He is a very disciplined, fast footballer with a good shot. In the 27th minute, Kendzhera from the right gave a great pass to Verbic, who shot with his left foot and missed the far corner.
Of course, without a doubt, Fenerbahce had the advantage in the first twenty minutes. But then Dynamo could score twice in those moments that I talked about. By the way, in the 52nd minute, after a great free-kick from Tsygankov, Popov also headed great, but missed the goal. This is a goal situation! Just like in the 71st minute, when we played a good combination, after which Besedin dribbled the ball into the far corner. And there was also Sidorchuk's kick from the penalty area. It was also a good combination! We created a sufficient number of approaches to the gate, from which we had to squeeze. Therefore, those who do not agree with me, just carefully watch the video of all the moments.
- Thanks to what, the people of Kiev can go further in the Champions League?
- Both coaches received a lot of necessary information, which they will analyze in detail and make appropriate adjustments before the return match. The emotions of Turkish football fans will force their team to act very aggressively on the attack, which will lead to a break in the game balance and discipline. Dynamo players can really take advantage of this. And, I hope they use these moments.
In addition, I think that the quality of the implementation of the created prerequisites for scoring goals by our players will be sufficient for our victory over the opponent. Yes, in Poland we never hit the target, but the second match in a row will not be like that. We will try to realize any mini-moment. It will be very difficult for the opponent. They will start to get nervous and twitch. Fenerbahce has many changes. The players don't know each other so well yet, and they have a new coach. This is a plus for us. But they do have good players. They are technical and fast. Of course they know how to play. Individually, they are quite good on their own. Uruguayan Diego Rossi can beat one-on-one, as he is fast enough. We know that the Norwegian Joshua King played in strong teams. I will single out the leader of the national team of Ecuador Enner Valencia. Everyone there can play. Almost all of them are very good players.
- Due to what can Dynamo improve the implementation of chances?
— We are quite good at flank attacks and flank shots. The opponent may not be able to keep up with Dynamo. In Lodz, the people of Kiev had to score. But, I am sure that in Turkey, away, we will score. In any case, not names play football. Teamwork is important! Today, Dynamo players are more organized. But I will say that Fenerbahce performers are more technical. Their level of individual high-speed technique is higher. And who argues with this? But this still needs to be implemented. Dynamo play better without the ball, they are more compact, more disciplined. We play well on set pieces. I have an inner feeling that in the second leg we will score both from a set piece and from the game.
- Based on Dynamo test matches and the first meeting of the Kyivans with Fenerbahce (0:0), what are the chances for the white-blue to reach the next round of the Champions League qualification?
- Some skeptically and critically assessed the results of the control matches of Dynamo. And I said it didn't mean anything at all. I understand this because I am a coach. I understand that the coach wants to try some tactical combinations and developments under loads. I will not reveal my secrets to everyone. My players and my headquarters will know about this.
Now the main thing is to pass Fenerbahce. There are chances! Now the chances of going further are 50/50. But, of course, I want Dynamo to play in the Champions League. Of course, we sincerely wish the guys to continue the fight in the qualification of the most prestigious European Cup and advance to the group stage of the Champions League. All Ukraine supports you!
