Former midfielder of the national team of Ukraine Serhiy Nagornyak assessed Dynamo's chances of reaching the group stage of the Champions League.
Sergei Nagornyak (photo: P. Kubanov)- What were your thoughts after the first match between Dynamo and Benfica? Is there a ray of hope for the people of Kiev for the return match?
- There is always hope, but I have big doubts about whether the people of Kiev will be able to get into the group stage of the Champions League. It's very simple: the skill level of Benfica players is higher than that of Dynamo players. This decided the outcome of the first meeting. Especially the second leg away, and it is always difficult to play in Lisbon.
— But Dynamo has players who can make a difference. The same Tsygankov could become the hero of the first match. Viktor had two chances and didn't score.
- It happens. Victor didn't decide the scoring episodes, and then he made a mistake. But for Tsygankov, this is generally the first such mistake. I don't remember Vitya being so wrong. I think this is an element of chance, nothing more.
- The usual Dynamo joker did not work in the new season - Karavaev.
- Many people have a question why Karavaev, who has already scored twice this season in European competition, does not play from the first minutes. Let me tell you right now, I don't know the answer. You have to be inside the team to understand this. In the match against Benfica, Karavaev came on as a substitute and slightly refreshed the game. Changes are refreshing. But, I repeat, the outcome of the meeting was decided by the level of skill.
- Do you mean that the Benfica players have better technique, more accurate passes and shots?
— Yes, everything. Although Dynamo tried hard, it was clear that the Kyiv team had problems in the middle of the field. Sidorchuk in the center of the field was really not enough. A lot of work had to be done. Andrievsky today does not pull out this role, like Sidorchuk.
- Benfica could still add in your opinion?
“Absolutely. In my opinion, the Portuguese could add. In the first half, they scored two goals, and in the second half of the meeting, the Lisbons dried the game more, as the result completely suited them.
- How would you rate your debut in the European competitions of Dnipro-1?
- Unsuccessful. Nominally, they lost to the Cypriots at home. And we lost the game! Especially the first half. In the first half of the meeting, I did not recognize Dnepr-1 at all. New team, new coach. The requirements are probably completely different. It takes time to adapt. But you can’t just delay the dates of the European Cup matches and you need to play already. I am sure that Dnepr-1 has a chance. Absolutely right! Dnipro's game in the second half gives hope that the team will be able to overcome this opponent.
Did Swatok cope with the role of leader and captain?
- It's good that Sasha scored a goal. That's why he's the captain. There are also many questions about his game. But at least he scored and gave hope. It would be psychologically difficult to recoup from 0:2. And now the odds are much better. The first half turned out to be absolutely unsuccessful, because the team has a lot of new players, a new coach. And Dnipro-1 did not have match practice at the official level. Although Dynamo, for example, managed to successfully play with Fenerbahce and Sturm in the first official matches of the new season. Let's hope that the Dnieper will pass their opponent.
Dmitry KOTKOV
