Football expert Oleksandr Sopko analyzed the first match of the Champions League qualifying round play-off between Dynamo Kyiv and Benfica Lisbon (0:2), which took place yesterday in Lodz, Poland.
Alexander Sopko (photo: V. Peregnyak)"The miracle didn't happen..."
- I am a realist, and therefore I clearly understood that this match would be more difficult than all the previous ones in the Champions League qualification of the current season, Sopko noted. — Benfica is a different caliber, in a game with it it would be difficult for Dynamo to even play a draw. It is felt that the Lisbon team approached the game with the people of Kiev very seriously - this is noticeable in their mood, motivation, readiness. Benfica is much better prepared than Dynamo and is capable of reaching the Champions League group stage. Dynamo, unfortunately, does not hold out.
- Didn't you expect more from the White-Blues?
- Dynamo played at its level - no worse and no better than in previous matches. In the duel with Benfica, the Kyivans created chances, tried to play organized, disciplined football, but there are mistakes and shortcomings. Fenerbahce and Sturm failed to take advantage of this, but Benfica punished. Miracle, unfortunately, did not happen.
- In the confrontations with the Turks and the Austrians, Dynamo's good physical readiness was noted. Benfica failed to run across?
— The Lisbon team is a different scale. It is impossible to run across it, or, shall we say, very difficult. In addition, the people of Kiev put pressure on Fenerbahce and Sturm when they were only ten. It was easier for our team to play then, and it seemed that physically we were head and shoulders above the rivals. Yes, Dynamo are well prepared physically, Lucescu knows how to work. But against Benfica, this is not so obvious.
"Our players are shackled"
— What can you say about the goals conceded by Dynamo?
— If we compare the defense of Kiev and Lisbon, then the lack of our players is immediately noticeable — they act in defense not against a specific player, but in zones. Dynamo players react to the situation in time and look after the ball, not the player. That's why there are moments when four people from Kiev are next to one opponent, and the second one is free... This is the inability to play one-on-one, and this brings down the defense of Dynamo, and not only in this match.
As for the second conceded goal, this is Tsygankov's negligence. This is a gross mistake. Popov was not ready for such a pass from his teammate. In addition, no one managed to insure Popov.
- Benfica used two mistakes of Dynamo, did not lose in physics, and this was enough for her to win confidently...
- "Benfica" surpassed the Kiev team in collective pressure. The first 15 minutes, and especially before the goal, Lisbon played very powerfully. Modern football consists of three phases - pressing, decision-making speed and the ability to work with the ball. Our players are constrained - they are trying to get rid of the ball as quickly as possible. But there is what we have. I don't think we need to put ashes on our heads now.
"Andrievsky played no worse than Sidorchuk"
- How much did Dynamo miss the suspended Sidorchuk and Garmash?
- Garmash's 10-minute stay on the field causes more problems than advantages... Sidorchuk, who is considered the main player of the White-Blues, is not impressive yet. He has lost speed, is not keeping up with the events, fouls... I think that Andrievsky played no worse than Sidorchuk. But in general, this position is problematic for Dynamo. Shaparenko alone, who knows how to play in the center, under pressure from an opponent, is not enough.
It seems to me that Dynamo has hit the ceiling, and it will be difficult to achieve anything significant with these players.
- Hope for the youth?
- By the way. Lucescu replaced the young Vanat and Tsarenko, who looked no worse than other Dynamo players. These guys lack only experience. Dynamo youth, in all likelihood, will become leaders and breathe new life into the team's game. Separately, I would like to say about the Dynamo attack. There is a shortage of forwards. Besedin is currently not up to the required level.
“Dynamo’s luck limit has already been exhausted”
— What do you expect from the return match in Lisbon? Does Dynamo have any chance?
“A miracle happens only as a result of hard work and proper readiness. I think that Dynamo has already run out of luck at the previous stages of the Champions League. Kievans, of course, do not need to give up and remember that playing at such a level is professional growth, this is an event in a career. We must fight.
All Dynamo players who will take the field in Lisbon should treat this match as a unique chance to prove themselves, not be afraid of the opponent, and demonstrate good football. As for the result, everyone already understands everything, including the fans.
Oleg Semenchenko
