The legendary midfielder of Dynamo Kyiv, former head coach of this club and the national team of Ukraine Leonid Buryak, in an exclusive interview with Dynamo.kiev.ua, told what he thinks about the recent failures of the White-Blues.
Leonid Buryak. Photo — O.Vasilyeva- Considering your rich experience in football, including coaching, can you say, without being inside the team, what is happening with Dynamo?
- I periodically visit the Dynamo base, attend team training. And I can say that I see what I spoke about earlier: the war and the corresponding working conditions for the teams will definitely backfire. Unfortunately. It's different for every club. There is a good example of Shakhtar, yes, but for Dynamo the factor that turned out to be disastrous was that the team was deprived of that balanced off-season preparation, on which a lot, if not everything, was built. The football players who are now defending the colors of the team have no complaints in terms of return. But you need to understand that failures will definitely have their mark, this cannot but affect the team. When there is no result, there is no satisfaction from one's own work.
In addition, do not forget how the team, its composition, and personnel potential have changed. Do you remember the roster of Dynamo that won the championship with the arrival of Lucescu? Compare it with the current one. There is no Carlos de Pena, there is no Benjamin Verbic, there are no other players who were the leading performers of the team.
They often talk about Dynamo's problem with the striker. But look: the team has four forwards. Invite another? You just have to be aware that there are problems with the available personnel in the attack line. Everyone knows how much Besedin missed due to a difficult injury. The spouse was on loan, but returned with a "sore", he had to be operated on. Kulach also had health problems, he just started training. Who stays? Vanat. But this one is not yet ready for such football, it cannot determine the face of the team in attack.
Yes, there is dedication, desire, thirst for struggle, but this is not the most important component of football that determines the result. There is a quality of football players. It is it that determines the level of the game, which directly affects the result.
At the same time, I really hope that the Dynamo players are aware that there is one step left for the third star on the emblem. Many generations forged this result, forged the path to these stars. And the current generation of "white-blue" players must understand and remember which club they play for and what each such star means.
- Have there been situations or stages in your career similar to the one in which Dynamo is now?
- I think no. Probably for the reason that I played in a great team with great players. For us, just one match to draw was a real tragedy. But back then, everything was different. People really literally executed themselves after any failure. And after such matches, Lobanovsky did not want to catch the eye at all.
It is important that the current generation of Dynamo players also worry about the result. Even though the most important thing is to analyze failures and move forward, changing your game based on the results of the matches played. One head banging on the wall, of course, will not do anything. You need to be able to readjust. Even in a situation where the performance of the team can only be called a failure. I am now talking specifically about the performance of Dynamo in the group stage of the Europa League.
But at the same time, keep in mind that people in the club at all levels work tirelessly. Both Igor Surkis and Grigory Surkis keep their finger on the pulse 24 hours a day. The same youth team "Dynamo U-19" is consistently among the leaders, constantly progressing. That is, we are talking about a well-functioning structure of the club. With this approach, I am sure that the current failures of the first team are temporary. Everything will definitely work out.
— What can you say about criticism of Dynamo? Is she objective? Especially, from the side of the former Dynamo players, who now surf the media space with the proud status of "expert"?
— To be frank, I don’t understand this at all. I don’t understand when I listen to those for whom it was generally happiness to enter the field in a Dynamo Kyiv T-shirt. I don't want to name any names.
There are footballers who really achieved something as Dynamo players, they are actually involved in the glory of the club. Hats off to them. But there are others who are constantly saying something now, but you look at them and ask yourself: what have they achieved as Dynamo players, what is their contribution to the history of the club? And now they only do what they evaluate the team's game. I have said more than once: go, take a team and show how to do what you are talking about! But no, they don't do anything, they just keep talking. It's warm and cozy to sit at home, next to your wife, giving instructions to people who are really into football. I don't understand this. And I will never understand.
— What about the emotions of the fans? Are they justified? Last place in the Europa League group, 8th place in the Ukrainian championship...
— You can understand the fans. But right now it will be difficult for them to convey that even such giants as Real Madrid and Barcelona, at some time, finished the championship in fifth, sixth places. Let me remind you that we are now having the most specific season in the entire history of independent Ukrainian football. And each club goes through this stage in its own way, with its own failures. We all worry about Dynamo, and there is no doubt that the team should improve both in terms of results and in terms of the game, its spectacle. But the game is always the result of the training process. And now there are serious difficulties with it. We are now in such a situation that we would first restore what was before the war, and then we will move forward.
— Can something be done right now?
“Even if I give you some advice now, and some kind of rocket arrives tomorrow, and everything is over, then what will you ask me about then?” I am sure that the coaching staff of Dynamo perfectly understands the current situation, and understands what the team game should become better in, what this or that player should add. And here, of course, it is necessary to take into account the personnel problems of the team. No Bushchan, no Shaparenko. There are no legionnaires who left the team. These problems cannot be solved so simply and quickly. Now everyone gets a chance. And all these guys have to fight for a place in the main team.
And, again, I’ll remember the third star on the Dynamo emblem: everyone who enters the field as part of this team must remember that it also depends on him when this star will be obtained. And these football players must understand: there are no failed games, each game should be the basis for the next step forward. Regardless of the score on the scoreboard.
- You have said many times that Dynamo needs high-quality performers. In this regard, how would you characterize Lohnwijk? Especially in the recent match with Vorskla?
- It is not easy, of course, to judge by one game, but in the match with Vorskla he was one of the best in Dynamo. It can be seen that this is a team player, while he is able to cement defensive actions, and has an excellent shot, and makes few mistakes. But we need footballers who play attack, who can perform combinations in the final stage. I repeat, Vanat is ready for this. He scores the ball, and then disappears for 30-40 minutes. And we need a striker who will constantly terrorize the opponent's defense, who will constantly keep it in suspense. Dynamo now needs, if not such a striker, then a high-quality ten.
Each game has factors associated with victory. Including professional football. The more players in the team who have skill, speed, high-quality ball tackling, ball control, the ability to play aggressively forward, the closer this team is to success.
- After the coming Thursday, Dynamo's difficult road trips will stop. Will it help Dynamo in the remaining league matches scheduled for this year?
— This, of course, will be a bonus. But no stadium factor can compensate for problems in the game. Now in Dynamo only 4-5 players consistently determine the game. Lobanovsky also said that if at least one or two people fall out of the game, then it is almost impossible to win. Wherever the game takes place, the result will always come first. And at the same time, the fans will always crave a spectacular game. But in order to give both a result and a spectacle, you need to have a couple of Messi, a couple of Mbappe and a couple of Neymars in the squad. And now, instead of all this, we have a war. But this does not negate the fact that every football player who is currently playing for Dynamo or another Ukrainian club must add.
But just don't destroy the team. It is played by the same people as you and me. Something may not work out for them. And, for objective reasons. Each of our teams now has a new line-up. And each team goes through the period of this forced formation in its own way.
Alexander Popov
