Ex-midfielder of Dynamo Kyiv Vasily Kardash summed up the results of the first match of the third qualifying round of the UEFA Champions League between Dynamo Kyiv and Austrian Sturt, assessed the actions of the white-and-blue forwards and the team's chances of reaching the qualifying playoffs.
Vasily Kardash- Who, in your opinion, was, before the first match, the favorite of the match between Dynamo and Sturm?
- In my opinion, there are no clear favorites in the Champions League qualification, if it is not the grand of European football. All teams can shoot. And with a certain amount of luck and skill, you can show your maximum in a two-match confrontation. We all know that for more than seven months the people of Kiev did not have match practice (we are talking about official matches). I thought that the chances of getting into the playoff round were 50 to 50. Looking ahead, I will say that the chances, globally, have not changed - they are equal.
- An hour before the game, we saw Tsygankov in the starting lineup, but then, due to an injury during the warm-up, he was replaced by Karavaev. Did the absence of Tsygankov greatly affect the game of the Kyivans?
— Viktor is the leader of the team. In many ways, Tsygankov determines the game of Dynamo. But we saw that Alexander Karavaev, who came out at the start, decided the outcome of the fight. Here neither take away nor add.
- How would you rate the final 1:0 on the field of the city stadium in Lodz?
- It was a tough fight. Of course, the beginning of the game was for Sturm. Go and know how everything would have turned out further if Dynamo missed a goal in the opening of the meeting. And after a goal scored by Karavaev, our team began to have chances, combinations began to pass. I consider the victory of Dynamo as a whole well-deserved. I especially liked the goal, in Dynamo style. Crossing the flank, targeted pass to the penalty area and one-touch shot. In recent years, we have lost the habit of such combinations.
- Sturm's main talent, Dane Rasmus Hoylund, could have scored twice by the 24th minute...
- Yes, if the opponent's forward were a little more skillful and lucky, Dynamo could have problems. A goal scored always gives confidence. In the second leg, Dynamo players need to play more confidently in defense. Hoilunn must be monitored constantly.
- Well, we had our own hero - Karavaev ...
- Yes, Sasha scored the winning goal in Turkey, now he scored here too. I think that technically in Istanbul it was more difficult for him to score a goal. Yesterday he scored with his left foot, and in the match against Fenerbahce Sasha scored with his right foot. During the time of Valery Lobanovsky, they always talked about the corporate style of Dynamo. A pass along the flank followed by a targeted pass to the penalty area. And the players of the attack line are already running in there. Such passes are always dangerous, the opponent's defenders do not have time to catch them. It appeals to me.
- Let's get back to the match numbers. Dynamo hit more often than Shturm - 12 against 10. But, at the same time, only one shot hit the opponent's goal. Sturm has 4 shots on target at Buschan. Why, in your opinion, does the Ukrainian team hit the target so little?
- Yes, we see that the accuracy of our footballers' kicks is not enough. There is something for the coaching staff led by Mircea Lucescu to work on. Of course, the price of matches is very high - this is the Champions League. Somewhere our guys are in a hurry and make the wrong decisions. But it's good that they started hitting much more than in the home game against Fenerbahce.
- Many specialists and fans are dissatisfied with the performance of Artem Besedin, saying that it is difficult to count on him for goals scored. What do you say to the critics?
- I will not be so critical about Artyom's game. We remember that he missed a lot that year due to injury. Maybe he has gained physical condition, but there are problems with the rhythm of the game. We know Besedin's style of play, his ability to work. He can ram through the opponent's defense, but he has problems with goals scored, that's a fact. And yet, he brings benefits to the team. Perhaps, if his playing condition improves, then he will bring Dynamo Kyiv more benefit.
- You worked in the youth team with Vladislav Vanat. Can he become a Dynamo starting lineup player?
- Mircea Lucescu trusts him, he played in test matches, and in the Champions League he is already coming on as a substitute. Vanat is only 20 years old. I think that Vladislav is already a fighting unit. Through games, he will gain the necessary experience. Undoubtedly, a lot depends on the player. He has a strong left leg, Vlad is a fast football player. He is also placed on the flank in midfield, but for me he is a center forward. With the right attitude to the matter, Vanat is a player of the main team, in the near future.
- Vasily, which of the players who are on the bench can compete with the players of the starting lineup?
— I liked Konstantin Vivcharenko, he did very well in Istanbul. It can be seen how he strengthened the game of the team. Vanat brought his strong qualities.
- So far, Dynamo Kyiv has played three official matches. How many games still need to be played to roll into the season?
“There is no single whole here, everything is individual. In the Champions League qualification, first of all, the result is important. It binds. Much depends on the coach, what loads he offers to his wards. For Sturm, this is also the beginning of the season. I know one thing - with victories comes confidence.
- Can we compare, in terms of the level of the game, Fenerbahce and Sturm?
— This is very difficult to do. Turks are more emotional. It's in their blood, and the fans support them so much. The Austrians are disciplined like the Germans.
- Do you think that Dynamo (Kyiv) can pass Sturm by the sum of two matches?
- Judging by the first match, Dynamo are more skilled as a team. Therefore, they have every chance of getting into the playoff round.
