Ex-defender of Dynamo Kyiv Volodymyr Yezersky shared his impressions of the return match of his former team with Austrian Sturm in the 3rd qualifying round of the Champions League (1:2), which took place last Tuesday in Graz. As a reminder, according to the sum of two meetings (1:0, 2:1), the Ukrainian team advanced to the next stage of the tournament.
Vladimir Yezersky— What are your impressions of Dynamo Kyiv's winning game against Sturm?
- Of course, both the football players and the Dynamo coaching staff understood what a difficult meeting awaited them in Graz. Great atmosphere at the stadium, the opponent who imposed an aggressive fight with high pressure. "Sturm" was good physically. Dynamo did not feel very comfortable under such pressure. Both positional and transitional players had a lot of mistakes and ball losses.
So the opponent had many chances at the Dynamo goal. If you remember the whole match, then there were a lot of witticisms at the gates of Buschan. The defenders and our keeper had enough work. However, losing our players showed their will and managed to score twice. Yes, the Ukrainian team endured a lot, it was often very difficult.
- Already in the debut, Dynamo players could open an account and feel more comfortable ...
- Yes, Nikolay Shaparenko just had to score in the debut of the meeting. Our midfielder shot above the goal from an incredible position. It was only the fifth minute of the game. The broadcast showed how the head coach of Kiev experienced the situation. But we also have to thank Giorgi Buschanu. He demonstrated his class again. The Dynamo goalkeeper constantly saved the team.
- The match started with a goal from the hosts. Besedin was cut off in the center of the field and the hosts delivered the ball to the penalty area in one pass, where the most dangerous player of Sturm Hoylund opened the scoring in this meeting.
- Of course, everyone understood that the Sturm players would act aggressively. The Austrians put pressure, flew forward. And in this situation, our players had a chance to play correctly in attack. With so much space behind the Sturm defenders, we misused our capabilities. I counted more on experienced performers: Artem Besedin and Viktor Tsygankov in the development of positional attacks. Only at the end of overtime Tsygankov gave an assist to Ovcharenko and scored himself.
- Everyone liked the appearance on the field in the 71st minute of Karavaev and Ovcharenko. Maybe they need to be released in the starting lineup?
- These are mostly attacking players. They love to play forward. Dynamo tried to stretch the enemy's defense by playing through the flanks. In the moment with Ovcharenko's goal, everything was done correctly - both the pass and its opening.
- Can Vanat play in place of Besedin in attack from the first minutes?
“Mircea Lucescu decides everything here. These are versatile players. I would also put Besedin first. With the release of Artem, the task was for him to cling to the ball, giving him the opportunity to develop his attacks. Wanat needs space behind the backs of the defenders.
- It is often heard that Lucescu's experience helps Dynamo Kyiv. How is it shown?
- I think that today the skill of Dynamo players does not exceed the skill of Fenerbahce players. However, everything is decided by the organization of the team's game, discipline on the football field. You have to play responsibly and have patience.
Mircea Lucescu instilled all this in his team. We see that Dynamo is beating its rivals. Mircea Lucescu's many years of experience allows him to properly prepare for games, starting from the strengths of his opponent. Everything in the complex: Mircea's experience and the great desire of the Dynamo players.
- You rarely see how in 90 minutes of the game the referee presents the players with four yellow cards, and in overtime - 9 yellow and 1 red. Why did this happen in Graz?
- The game was super important. There was a lot of struggle, fouls, from both sides, respectively, and maps. There are a lot of illogical yellow cards in this fight. Now Sidorchuk and Garmash will miss the first match against Benfica.
- What is your opinion about Dynamo's opponent in the playoff round of the Champions League - Lisbon Benfica?
- I think that in the current Champions League this is the strongest opponent of all possible opponents for our team. This is the grand of Portuguese football, a real European bison. Everyone knows the strength of Benfica. Kyivans are waiting for an even more difficult opponent.
I can note that due to the Champions League qualifiers, Dynamo are already in good playing shape. The team has a weekly cycle, time to prepare. Last year, Dynamo and Benfica played in the same Champions League group. I am convinced that Lucescu will draw the necessary conclusions. It is important that physically the people of Kiev are in good shape.
- Should Dynamo have chances to pass the current Benfica?
- Of course. It won't be easy, even hard. What I see is that Dynamo is ready to face Benfica.
