"Dynamo" Kyiv will play the first match of the play-off round of the Champions League against "Benfica" of Lisbon. The winner of this confrontation will receive a ticket to the group stage of the tournament. The former striker of Dynamo and the national team of Ukraine Oleg Venglynskyi talked about the nearest prospects of Kyiv.
Oleg Venglynskyi— We are all waiting for a good game, because one step remains to be taken before the Champions League group round, said Venglinsky. — I think none of the rivals will run headlong ahead. There will be, so to speak, reconnaissance by battle, but everything will be decided in the return game in Lisbon.
Benfica easily dealt with Midtjylland in the third qualifying round. However, I would call our future opponent more of a home team, which looks very strong due to the support of the stands, but mainly due to the individual qualities of some performers.
The team creates a lot of scoring chances, scores a lot. However, in contrast to an experienced opponent, there is an experienced coach of "Dynamo", who knows how to play for the result.
Mircea Lucescu is a subtle psychologist and strategist. It is clear that "Dinamo" will operate more from the defense, and the key to success is a balanced collective action and an organized game in defense, because the opponent cannot be given operational space near their penalty area under any circumstances.
Neres is one to watch as he can easily beat one or two opponents. Joao Mario is officiating and is also something to keep an eye on. Lisbonians do not like to play when they are closely guarded and are not allowed to raise their heads.
Of course, you can't forget about quick counterattacks, and that's what "Dynamo" knows how to do. And I have no doubt that the Kyiv players will be able to withstand physically, because this was demonstrated in the previous matches against Fenerbahce and Sturm.
— The four matches that "Dynamo" played in the Champions League give reason to say that the Kyiv players are in the best condition for the match with "Benfica" or not?
— No, because the championship is not held, but these are the main competitions in which the team gains playing tone. As for peak form, I think it should be somewhere in September-October.
— What worries you now in the Dynamo game?
— Attack actions are a little wobbly. Previously, when the team was in good shape, the players had much more scoring opportunities and effective shots. So far, the defense has been superior to the offense.
— "Dynamo" does not have a striking forward?
- It should not be forgotten that Artem Besedin missed a lot of time due to a complex injury. After that, it is very difficult to get back to your best condition. Perhaps the coach of "Dynamo" takes this into account and gives the player specific tasks.
You see how much Besedin does rough work. Of course, I would like more goals, but this is not a problem of the striker, it is a problem of all the attacking actions of the team. A goal is not born out of thin air, a goal is a collective action of football players in attack. Besedin taught everyone that he scores, but so far it has not happened.
However, I am sure that he or Vladyslav Vanat needs to score one goal and everything will fall into place. Let's hope that this will happen already in the match with "Benfica" in Łódź.
— In terms of percentage, what are the chances of "Dynamo" in this confrontation?
— I would not be in a hurry to make any predictions on the overall result. Until Benfica's last match in the championship, I was thinking of giving the Portuguese a 60% percentage, but now those chances are much smaller, considering how competently their opponent played in defense, even despite the minimal defeat.
On paper, the Portuguese are the favourites, but Mircea Lucescu's team has repeatedly proven that these are trifles for them. I believe that Dynamo will advance to the Champions League group.
Yaroslav Pyatnytskyi
