Veres head coach Yuriy Virt spoke about the successful start of the team in the Ukrainian championship, the tasks for the new season, the summer transfer campaign and the conditions for preparing the team.
Yuri Wirth— Yuri Nikolayevich, congratulations on the successful start of the season. Please comment on the match against Vorskla Poltava. Did the opponent's head coach Viktor Skripnik surprise you tactically?
- No, I wasn't surprised, Skripnik always plays like that. Tactically, we were ready for the Vorskla game. We dismantled the opponent, we knew how they would act. It's good that it all ended like that.
— Veres managed to snatch victory over Vorskla in the last ten minutes of the match. Did you make any tactical adjustments during the meeting?
— During the break, we talked with the players. In the first half, we lost a lot of struggle, especially with set pieces. We didn't have rebounds, all the balls were picked up by Vorskla players. In the first 30 minutes, they had an advantage, so we had to improve in these components, as well as increase the speed.
We understood that the opponent would sit down functionally. We were a little better prepared physically. In the second half, they added in all components of the game, which resulted in a result in the end.
— Remember the victory in the match of the first round of the UPL over Chornomorets. With whom was it more difficult, with Poltava or Odessa citizens?
- These are different teams. Both games were difficult. But it was a little easier to play against Chornomorets, we had ball control. We kept the game under control, unlike the duel with Vorskla.
— Veres' next opponent will be Dnipro-1, which sensationally beat Dynamo Kyiv with a big score. What do you think about Oleksandr Kucher's team?
- This is a very serious opponent with a good selection of players. Maybe Kucher doesn't have enough time yet. He recently took over the team, many new players have joined. They did not succeed in the European Cups, there were two offensive defeats.
Against Dynamo, they played reliably in defense and got a positive result. We have to play with one of the leaders of Ukrainian football. But I have already told my players that everything depends on us. If they do everything that we agree on on the field, then we will be able to play with any opponent.
— What goals and objectives does Veres set for the new season?
- Our goal is to get into the top ten of the Premier League. We do not jump high, we know our capabilities. If Veres plays in the Premier League next season, it will be very good.
— Would you like to compete for European Cup places?
— No, we don’t think about European cups, we have modest goals. The main thing is to get into the top ten, this will already be a good result for us.
— In general, how would you rate the UPL level in the new season, given that almost all foreign players have left Ukrainian clubs?
“Of course, almost all the legionnaires left. But in their place come new players who can open up. So far, the matches are very interesting and tense. There are no clearly defined leaders in Ukrainian football. Shakhtar and Dynamo can lose points in any match.
It is clear that there are not enough bright personalities that were legionnaires. But we perfectly understand what is going on in Ukraine. We are at war. The main thing is to win it, and then the legionnaires will return. But I believe that a very interesting championship awaits us in the new season.
— What do you think about possible force majeure in the form of air raid alerts and such huge pauses in matches, as it was in the Roc game — "Metalist"?
— We have been lucky so far, there have been no alarms in our matches yet. When this happens for the first time, we will know how to act. I would like there to be as few worries as possible, and the teams could play football in peace.
— How would you rate Veres' summer transfer campaign? Satisfied with the newcomers of the team?
- I can say that newcomers still need to add. I know very well the capabilities of the same Sharai brothers. They both can show more. I think they will progress during the season. These are high-speed creative football players who play very well on attack.
So far, little time has passed, we have played only two games. I think that all our newcomers will improve during the championship. Each of them is able to strengthen our team, I have no doubt about it.
— Will there be more newcomers to Veres in the summer transfer window?
- If a player appears who we can invite and who has a desire to play in Veres, I think that this is possible. It's hard to find a quality player these days. We know our capabilities, the conditions that we can offer.
But if a good player appears, whom Veres can sign, then I do not rule out that we will strengthen even more.
— What financial opportunities does Veres have in comparison with other UPL clubs?
— Our financial capabilities are somewhat more modest than those of many clubs. But nobody complains. We have an agreement with the president of the club that contracts will be reviewed in the direction of increasing salaries after Ukraine comes out of martial law.
Footballers understand everything perfectly. They have good motivation in the form of bonuses. The first two games prove it. The guys are doing very well. They are motivated to earn additional bonuses for victories over rivals.
We may be a little lacking in skill, but in all other respects we are in no way inferior to other teams.
— Veres left several players who were the main ones last season — Petko, Polyulyakh, Panasenko, Goncharenko, Makhnev. Why did you decide to part with them?
- Some players left because it was my coaching decision. And some - because other clubs offered them better conditions, and they themselves decided to leave Veres.
— The presidents of other clubs have even invoked the "Kukuyevo" meme, criticizing your team's base. Where is Veres currently based and training?
— We are based at the Sofia Hotel in Rivne. We have accommodation, food, good conditions for recovery - swimming pools, saunas, baths.
And our trainings are held in Orzhev, Rivne region, 25 minutes away. There is a very good quality field. It is a sin for us to complain, all the conditions for preparation have been created.
We are waiting for the completion of the construction of fields at our base. Two fields should be ready next year - one with natural turf, and the other with artificial turf.
— In a month, Veres will begin hosting opponents at the Avangard stadium in Rivne. Is everything ready there?
- All the minimum requirements are met there - a field, two stands, dressing rooms. The lawn at Avangard is in very good condition.
— Will games at Avangard be an additional advantage for Veres over teams that are forced to constantly change home stadiums?
- We also travel a lot for the last three years and play at different stadiums. I would like to have my own stadium. It is clear that now the games will be held without fans.
When there are games with fans, and a full stadium gathers in Rivne, then we will really have some advantage. We will feel their support, and this will become an additional motivation for the players. Everyone is looking forward to this.
— Does forward Dmitry Povoroznyuk, who filmed the series about Veres, train with the team?
- He simultaneously trains and deals with the commercial affairs of Veres. He has a lot of work. When he has the opportunity, he is with the team, when not, he solves a lot of other issues. He is very busy with administrative work. I know that Dmitry sleeps very little.
Still, our management is a little lame. All this needs to be put in place so that not only the sports part, but also the administrative part will work. Povoroznyuk is working to ensure that everything is set up and works like a Swiss watch.
I can say that Dmitry is my right hand. He helps me in everything, we have a good tandem. I am very glad that we have such a person.
— Does Povoroznyuk have a chance to play in the UPL match for Veres?
- Of course, now he will start training even more. He was in good shape in the first league as well. I think he has a chance to make his debut for Veres in the Premier League.
Andriy Kaplun
