Former Dynamo Kyiv and Dnipro defender Volodymyr Yezersky commented on Dnipro-1's major loss to Cypriot AEK (0:3) in the second leg of the playoffs of the Europa League qualifying round yesterday.
Vladimir Yezersky- It is very difficult to start in the Europa League after the training camp, without official matches, Yezersky noted. — In the first match, it was noticeable that the class of Dnipro-1 is higher than AEK, and you can play with the Cypriot team. Therefore, there were high expectations from the second meeting, because the opponent is a passing one and at stake is the group stage of the Europa League. Everyone hoped that the Dnieper would be able to take revenge and complete the task.
Why didn't you succeed again?
- "Dnepr-1" opposed an organized and experienced team. I think that the Cypriot AEK squeezed out the maximum in the second game. As for Dnipro, they have a new coach and many new players. But this does not mean that Dnipro-1 should lose with such a score.
- Could the plot of this match have turned out differently?
- Our team started well, and showed good football until the 30th minute. During this period of the game, nothing meant defeat, but after the first conceded goal, and especially after the second, Dnipro-1's game broke down. There was not enough organization in defense and attack. AEK, in turn, began to act on courage and used their chances well.
Dnipro-1 had scoring chances and if Svatok had scored, then the match could have turned out in a completely different scenario. The Dnipro people still lack balance - both in defense and in attack. Lacks experience of playing in European competitions. In addition, in such matches, of course, you need to score. With such an attacking line as Dnipro-1 has, it is necessary to realize scoring chances more efficiently.
- Dnipro-1, despite being eliminated from the Europa League, will continue to play at the group stage of the Conference League. What awaits Oleksandr Kucher's team in the third European tournament?
- The selection of players from Dnipro-1 is good, and there is potential. Due to the matches of the Ukrainian championship, the Dnipro team should gain their condition, and it will be a completely different team. I hope that Dnipro-1 will definitely improve in the game, because there is still time.
Oleg Semenchenko
