Dynamo head coach Mircea Lucescu and Rukh head coach Leonid Kuchuk answered journalists' questions after the match of the 6th round of the Ukrainian Championship between these teams.
Mircea LucescuMircea LUCHESCU, Dynamo head coach
— Is there any information about how serious Boyko's injury is?
- Let's wait until tomorrow. Now he went for an MRI, he will take a picture. In addition to all our problems and failures that have been lately, Boyko’s injury was still not enough, and that he fell out for a long time. It’s good that Neshcheret just returned to training ten days ago and was able to replace Denis.
— Why didn't Denis Popov play?
— We have a large clip of players. The one we think is stronger plays. Today we chose a pair of Zabarny-Sirota in the center of defense.
— Which goal in today's match was decisive in terms of achieving the result?
- I warned the players that we are playing against a dangerous opponent, against a well-organized team that has its own pattern of play. In my understanding, the first goal scored was decisive, since the opponent violated three game components at once - a well-organized game in defense, fast counterattacks, as well as good ball control with skillful openings and combinations in the center of the field. Therefore, we needed the first goal.
We are going through a difficult period. After the insulting defeat from Rennes, we were not in the best psychological state, so at the beginning of the fight there was a fear of making a mistake, stiffness in actions. The opponent, on the other hand, acted more relaxed, created several dangerous chances after set pieces, so it was necessary to score in order to loosen up.
Separately, I want to thank FC Rukh in the person of the president, that despite the fact that we are rivals, he allowed us to train in excellent conditions at the club base, and not for the first time.
— Football — game for spectators. What needs to be done to make Dynamo score more beautiful goals?
- In order to score a lot of goals, you need to dominate the field. Dominance requires proper preparation. At the moment, we are not ready for this due to constant moving and flights. We are on the bus for 7-11 hours, and there is no full-fledged training process to prepare for the matches. Plus, I expect more from mid-line players, attacking players - it is impossible for Tsygankov and Buyalsky to constantly shoulder this difficult burden. This applies to Sidorchuk, and Garmash, and Besedin, and Shepelev, and Kabaev. Today, well done Tymchik, he was in the right place, he scored an important goal.
— What was the impetus for a major victory today?
- Defeat from Rennes. We worked hard and prepared for the game in France, but we lost undeservedly, so there was additional motivation for the match with Rukh in order to at least somehow rehabilitate for that loss.
Leonid KUCHUK, Rukh head coach
— In the first half, Rukh looked pretty good. What did the team lack to catch at least a draw?
- The level of Dynamo Kyiv players is too high for us. Teams like Shakhtar and Dynamo do not forgive mistakes. When we make a mistake, we get scored. We need to change our attitude towards our flaws and learn not to make mistakes in such simple situations.
— The Rukh youth team successfully performs in the UEFA Youth League. How do you see the immediate future of the team?
“God grant that the war ends. Therefore, first of all, I would like to wish everyone good luck in this non-football confrontation.
I have already said that young football players, not only Rukh, are the future of Ukrainian football. There are a lot of talented players in Ukraine who could grow up to the level of Shakhtar, Dynamo and play in the Champions League.
— How did the war affect your team?
- Like everyone else. We have already played three matches, which were interrupted by air raids. Everyone is very worried about their loved ones, about what is happening in Zaporozhye. My football impressions are now being burned out by the war. I'm shocked by what these freaks are doing. May God grant that we all live in peace again.
