Dynamo U-19 head coach Igor Kostyuk commented on the victory of his wards over the boys from Dnipro-1 in the 2nd round of the Ukrainian Youth Championship (2:0).
— Dynamo is used to dominating at home, but today we didn't see that in the first half. Was it a surprise for you that Dnipro-1 tried to impose its game from the first minutes?
- We understood that Dnipro-1 would come to play with a slightly older squad. They had five players born in 2003. Experienced football players who spent enough time in the U19 championship, so we understood that today there would be a game on a collision course. Whoever tactically beats, endures and realizes his chances - he will become the winner.
— With such a game in the first half, what came to the fore? Individual actions of the players?
— Yes, we train the finish enough. However, today there was a weak implementation - both in the first and second half. But we are now in the process of becoming a team, we are instilling collective actions in the players. They still do not understand at what speeds they need to work. Therefore, the adaptation process is ongoing.
— The team was replenished by a large number of players born in 2005. How satisfied are you with the personnel potential and teamwork at this stage?
— As I said, now we are teaching players how to train. Because the intensity, the dynamics at which the guys train, wants the best. Not everyone understands yet. There are always older players, so when we adapt young players, they have an example of older teammates that they pull up to. This year, most of the players were born in 2005, so it’s hard for them to immediately join and maintain that dynamics and intensity in training.
As long as there are shifts. I am glad that we can withstand two halves and bring the matches to victory. We score our goals and create many chances.
— This season, Dynamo will not participate in the UEFA Youth League, to which we are all accustomed. Will this be an auxiliary factor, because you can concentrate on the championship, or can it play a cruel joke due to the lack of motivation of the players?
- No, this will by no means play a cruel joke. But we know that the UEFA Youth League is first and foremost a great experience for the players. There they get invaluable experience of European games, which helps them to become better.
— Your yesterday's pupils are now in the first team, some have already made their debut in the Champions League. How would you rate the openings of Vivcharenko and Tsarenko?
“These are quality players who have passed the UEFA Youth League and understand what needs to be done on the football field. They adapt to the requirements of the head coach of the first team. I think that with the proper attitude and trust of the coach, they should become the players of the main squad.
— There was no Groholsky today. Is he injured?
— Yes, he was injured.
— Having made the reverse substitution of Locksmith, you released Gusev on the field, who became a joker and scored the second goal. What was the reason for the replacement?
- If we talk about Locksmith, then the players coming on as a substitute should add speed, quality and freshness. The locksmith, unfortunately, today appeared on the football field with the wrong attitude.