The next European Cup week almost finally determined the future tournament fate of three Ukrainian clubs: unlike Dynamo, Shakhtar and Dnipro-1 won the right to the spring extension. Moreover, in the last round of the group competitions of the Champions League and the Conference League, respectively, our representatives have something to compete for.
"Shakhtar" and "Dnipro-1" have something to fight for
"Dnipro", defeating Cypriot "Apollon", made history - became the first representative of Ukraine in the playoffs of the Conference League. If Oleksandr Kucher's wards manage to overcome the Dutch AZ "Alkmaar" in the last match, the Dnipro players will get a ticket to the 1/8 finals. If they finish second, they will have to overcome the 1/16 barrier.
"It cannot be said that luck strongly accompanies Dnipro people. Even before the start of the season, Kucher lost two right fullbacks (Purita and Luchkevich). Gromov, Hutsulyak, Blanco were recently relegated due to injuries, and the coach was also absent today "Dnipro-1" also Bululi and Gorbunova. Yes, on the place of Pykhalyonok and Dovbyk, but the Dnipro team had three goalkeepers and ina total of four field players. And how to play on two fronts with such a set without a clear loss of quality?» - outlined the difficult situation in the team, Georgy Groshev (Ua-football.com, 27.10.22).
However, despite personnel difficulties, the Ukrainians won and qualified for the next round of the tournament. And on Sunday, they confirmed the reputation of the one-man leader of the national championship, earning three points in the match against Chornomorets and increasing the handicap in front of the pursuers.
"I liked the Dnipro people: measured, tactically competent, a good balance between sharpness and observation. Liny was not torn, the constructions are compact, high pressure was connected where appropriate. Yes, there were two or three serious positional mistakes in the defense and missed chances in the attack, but the overall impression is quite cheerful, Pavlo Bulakh stated (Footboom.com, 28.10.22). — This is how new pages of club history are written. Bronze, European Cups, group stage, now the playoffs. Step by step».
In the sixth round of the most prestigious European Cup, Shakhtar Donetsk will have to fight for a chance to continue playing in the Champions League. For this, it is necessary to beat the German "Leipzig" for the second time. Otherwise, the miners will be reassigned to the Europa League. Another very confident step in the continental arena for Shakhtar was an away game with Scottish Celtic, which brought a peace agreement - 1:1.
"Jovičević's joy after the game was as if he had won, — emphasizes the emotions of the mentor of the Donetsk people Sport.u.a (25.10.22). — In principle, it is clear - before the start of the Champions League, who believed that the renewed Shakhtar would manage to lose only once in five matches and score six points? In addition, in terms of the fight for second place today, a draw and a victory would be equivalent - "Leipzig" beat "Real" (3:2) in a parallel match, and now in the last round, Jovičević's wards will definitely have to win against the Germans.
Without hiding positive surprise from the actions of the almost completely renewed team of Jovicević, analysts are trying to investigate - due to which it manages to be on an equal footing against reputable opponents in the Champions League.
"The orange and black started their appearance in the European Cups in a dismantled state, Mykhailo Yukhymenko recalls (Football24.u.a, 25.10.22). — Almost all the legionnaires left, instead of one of the best European coaches, a coach with experience of the UPL middlemen was appointed, and the new leaders were 21-year-old Mudryk, 22-year-old Bondarenko, 20-year-old Sudakov, etc. Transfers the Swede, Zubkova or MykhailoandChenka only emphasized downgrade "Miner".
And it is also necessary to mention the extremely difficult relocations, the organization of matches in Warsaw and the psychological burden associated with the war. StatsBomb tactical analyst Carlon Carpenter said that even just managing a football club in such conditions is impressive. No one believed in the miners.
INhowever, they were able to pull themselves together and give a cool performance in Champions League He pleased not only with unexpected results, but also with the quality of football. Competently placed build-up, tactics of luring the opponent into high pressing, organization of transitional phases with wingers' jerks, use of the forward in the role of a pillar - all these aspects are in the game "Miner" were constantly modernized. The presence of thought in the team was always felt, and it was complemented by incredible self-sacrifice».
"Miner» it looks solid, the players understand and believe in the coach's ideas, and therefore they manage to implement them in life. It was with this that such a young man conquered the hearts of many team", - Giorgiy Groshev shares his impressions (Ua-football.com, 25.10.22).
Shakhtar seemed to go level by level in a game with life at a minimum. And every time I was surprised more and more, although the task became more and more difficult, - Oleksandr Sazhko adds colors to the collective portrait of the miners (Ua.tribuna.com, 26.10.22). — "Miner" andwith every step only got stronger and never once sank to zero, giving up. I was surprised by the inexplicable energy that appeared every time after long periods of pressure from the opponent. Always stood his ground and tried to use his strengths...
And this is probably the most surprising thing about this team. She is a bit too steadfast and stable for the current stage of development and a rather inexperienced staff and coach".
Many observers see a significant social aspect in the success of the miners: bright play and decent performance results on the international arena allow the Ukrainian people to "switch" in the days of severe military trials.
"This "Miner" unites the whole country with football - and gives long-forgotten emotions. The whole country screamed yesterday from the smart goal of Mudryk or Sikan's foul. In the current environment, this is expensive, — insists M. Yukhymenko (Football24.u.a, 25.10.22). — Not for the first time since the beginning of the war, the Ukrainian club was able to distract the people from their problems andwith war, with blackouts and stress. People get a kick out of football - and it's a good kick! This is where the main victory lies "Miner" in 2022».
Immediately, several sources, commenting on the performances of the current "Shakhtar", offer interesting comparisons with a reference to the miracle team of Kyiv "Dynamo" of the late 1990s.
"I have lived in this world too long to now draw parallels between that almost legendary Lobanovskyi team and the current, not yet fully formed Job teamandchevandCha. The comparison will clearly be in favor of the first. However, the friend, with her tenacity, expression and faith, makes me again look at the Ukrainian team in the most prestigious club tournament with wide-open eyes» (Valery Vasylenko, Sport.ua, 25.10.22).
"IN to the current Donetsk Champions League draw inse more often began to be compared with "Dynamo"-98/99. Of course, before the semi-finals of the Champions League, the wards of Igor Jovandchevandfar away, but the parallels are obvious. Ukrainian composition, sensational results in matches with giants, very high-quality modern football» (Football24.u.a, 25.10.22).
"This team's game is interesting to watch. The guys play with their heart and soul, and they don't wait for it to be over. - Although they are also tired, they also constantly travel from Europe to Ukraine and back... The "orange and black" footballers have courage, youthful ardor and the desire to show themselves on the European stage, and such a mix gives a wonderful effect, if not always in the form of a result, then always in the form of an attractive game. This Shakhtar is like the reincarnation of Dynamo of the late 90s» (Ihor Zvyk, Sportanalytic.com, 26.10.22).
"Dynamo" is getting out of the crisis
Many comparisons with the head coach of that Dynamo ensemble, Valery Lobanovskyi, were addressed to the current coach of the "white and blue" Mircea Lucescu. Although at the moment, neither the experience of the Romanian specialist, nor his charisma, nor the absolute support from the side of the leaders of the capital's FC have yet allowed the Dinamo players to get out of the psychological "pit".
Many hopes were associated with the Europa League match against Cyprus AEK, but, unfortunately, the maximum for "Dynamo" on the Mediterranean island was a draw, putting an end to the Kyiv's European Cup hopes. Heroic efforts in the last minutes, which allowed the visitors to avoid a crushing defeat against a much weaker opponent, only emphasized the fact that the crisis in the team continues.
"Even now, after "Dynamo" guaranteed itself the last place in the group, I am sure that in almost all profile characteristics, Kyiv is stronger than the Cypriots. But they could not prove this. And they didn't want to, - Valery Vasylenko criticizes Dynamo players (Sport.ua, 28.10.22). — It is very indicative, in my opinion, that the symbol of Dynamo "resistance" in Larnaca became Garmash, who was dismissed from the Kiev "ship" at the time, although previously endowed with remarkable prospects. And in the last time, he was retrained for another position, proving and showing the weakness and insanity of both the other position and the rest of the inert and disappointed Dynamo squad...»
It was after Harmash's substitution and the veteran's goal double that "Dynamo" was saved from a disastrous score of 1:3. Of course, it could have given way. But at the end of the meeting, there was even a chance to win. Perhaps it was this heroism on the verge of despair that inspired some of the journalists to search for life-giving colors in a rather gloomy picture.
"Dynamo» played one of the best games both this season and in the current European Cup cycle, Yevhen Savchuk thinks (Footboom.com, 28.10.22). — But we, as always, like to create problems for ourselves, and then heroically overcome them. True, if everything went well with the first, then there was clearly not enough tournament time for the second... However, this game showed that, contrary to forecasts, not everything is in the present "Dynamo» it's hopeless and the team can really do anything if they want to. Or, maybe, if someone is afraid of something in it. Which moment prevails is hard to tell. But, recalling the classics of domestic humor, one does not leave the thought that something needs to be fixed at the conservatory. It is hoped that something will happen with this, but it will work out".
Taras Kotiv from the Football24.ua portal focuses on Dynamo's resources, which "lit up" in Cyprus and should help the team in the near future.
"Diallo did not have enough time, but liked the charge, the movement, the search for depth and free zones. Parris, though a bit sloppy, but with a great desire that grew into moments. Everything that everyone around had been begging for had finally happened. The debut of Parris and Diallo in the European Cups and in general for "Dynamo". Vanat at the base with chances for something more than just a goal. Harmash, who does not care and knows how to prove it. Buyalskyi, who is brilliant at this modest level, where the quality of football does not extend much to the Conference League. And young guys. Ukrainians and legionnaires. Who have shown that they can at least not be weak-willed. They know how to play in touch and find ways into the penalty box. But who were given so unreasonably few chances in this European Cup campaign» (Football24.ua, 28.10.22).
Ihor Surkis, president of Dynamo, touched on these aspects the day before in an interview with the "Fandei" website. The leitmotif of Igor Mykhailovych's communication with the editor of the publication Andriy Piskun was the statement: if Mircea Lucescu leaves the team, then only as a winner.
"The team is constantly on trains, planes and buses, - the president analyzed the main reasons for the game and psychological crisis of his team. — But we do not complain. Also, Dynamo could not strengthen. But these are not excuses, but objective reasons, because there is a war in the country. And I'm not into football either» (Fanday.net, 25.10.22).
Mr. Surkis rejected suggestions that parting with Lucescu on the background of not the best results is hindered, saying the need for compensation in the event of an early termination of the deal.
"Lucescu's contract does not include any severance if I fire him or he leaves on his own, — emphasized I. Surkis. — IN our contract is built on gentlemanly principles. Lucescu can leave at any moment, but he cannot leave without a winner... He does everything right. It is not necessary to hang all dogs on a trainer. May God grant that all young coaches work like him. Lucescu thinks about football 24 hours a day» (Fanday.net, 25.10.22).
And, finally, the Dynamo president once again confirmed the firmness of his intentions to return "Dynamo" to a leading position.
"I will support the team financially and morally, no matter how long this crisis lasts. I will not quit the team in any situation. You could see this for more than 20 years of my management in the club", - Ihor Surkis is quoted by Fanday.net (10/25/22).
About change and about change
Such trust is worth a lot. Probably, the victory in the next round of the championship of Ukraine against "Kryvbas" (3:1) should be evaluated precisely as a step towards overcoming a complex of problems.
"Lucescu does not give up." And, I'm sure, he urges his football players to do so. The Romanian stubbornly rejects the suggestion that he has exhausted his resource in Kyiv, that he has lost interest, motivation, etc. On the contrary, the string of failures for him is one more challenge, to a series of those, of which, in fact, the current stage of the coaching career is made up. This is evidenced, in particular, by the latest personnel changes in the "core": the transfer of Kabaev, the acquisition of Parris and Lonwijk, the involvement of Diallo in the main team. Despite the circumstances of the war period, Mircha continues to build a team that would solve tournament goals not only in the domestic arena." - stated in one of the recent materials of the "Football Club" (Footclub.com.ua, October 6, 2022).
In this regard, the processes on the lower floors of the Dynamo pyramid add optimism. In particular, in the youth teams of the club and in its academy.
"Specialists from CIES Football Observatory conducted another interesting study, - "Football club" spread rather eloquent information. — They analyzed the squads (as of October 1, 2022) of the 31 best divisions in Europe. These squads were analyzed in relation to the clubs that the footballers are from. On the first place of this unique rating was Ajax, which trained 85 players for such clubs. "Benfica" (73) and "Dynamo" Kyiv (72) are also in the top three. (Footclub.com.u.a, 24.10.22).
During the week, the full team of "white and blue" players took part in the ranks of the 17-year-old national team in the next stage of selection for the European Championship.
"The youth team of Ukraine started its performance at the tournament with a victory over Azerbaijan - 5:2, - reported the official website of the Kyiv club (Fcdynamo.com, 24.10.22). — IN all 11 footballers, invited to the training camp and qualifying matches, took part in the match. These are goalkeeper Vyacheslav Surkis, defenders Vladyslav Zakharchenko, Maksym Korobov, Denys Dykiy, linebackers David Byly, Daniil Ishchenko, Kirill Osypenko, forwards Vladyslav Kalin, Kirill Pashko, Vitaly Lobko and Matvei Ponomarenko. Let us remind you that all of them play for Luhansk Zarya on lease.
Subsequently, the Ukrainian team crushed the opponents from Liechtenstein (7:0), and finally drew with the hosts of the selection group, Bosnia (1:1), taking first place.
Also attracting attention are the successful performances in the UEFA Youth League of the 19-year-old backups of Shakhtar Donetsk and Rukh Lviv. The first qualified for the playoffs of the Junior Champions League from the group stage. The Carpathians, having overcome the Polish "Zaglembe" at the start of the competition, confidently beat their peers from the local "Galatasaray" in the next round in Istanbul (3:1). We would like to believe that in the return match, the Lviv team will confirm the validity of their claims to participate in the playoffs.
It was concern for the boys from the youth team that became one of the reasons for the fiery press conference of the ex-president of "Movement" Hryhoriy Kozlovskyi. At one time, the owner of the club decided to officially leave the management position in response to threats from the disciplinary bodies of the domestic football association, to the methods and results of which Mr. Kozlovsky has many complaints.
The accusations made at the press conference related, in particular, to the organization of "manual" arbitration, strange problems with the VAR system, dubious telepool, shameful self-promotion on the part of UAF leaders against the background of terrible unprofessionalism and the absence of any accountability of the association, etc.
"I appeal to the club presidents: enough silence! Let's do something. It is necessary to save our football, because it is dying. He is lying in the intensive care unit, connected to all the machines. We need to change either the doctor or the clinic. I am ready to fight, and this conference is the cry of my soul. I came with the ambition to change Ukrainian football for the better. It must be built from the foundation, from the very bottom. Yes, it is hard, painful and long, but it is necessary. The entire football community wants change. We have to do something. We need everyone to wake up and remember that we are free people of a free country." - Kozlovsky is quoted by the official website of FC "Rukh" (Fkrukh.com, 24.10.22).
Long shadows of corruption
Despite the emotionality of the "plaintiff", most of the issues raised by him at the press event look absolutely legitimate. All the more so in light of the news about the continuation of investigations into the activities of officials, which harm not only national football, but also state interests in general.
"Journalists received official confirmation that the residence of Andrey Pavelko, head of the Ukrainian Football Association, was searched, — informs Tsn.ua (28.10.22). — Previously, Pavelko publicly denied the fact that his house was searched.
According to the letter of the National Police, on October 18, 2022, on the basis of the decision of the investigating judge, a search was conducted at the residence of Andrey Pavelko with the aim of recovering and seizing things and documents relevant to the pre-trial investigation».
"A pre-trial investigation has been initiated and is being carried out in criminal proceedings No. 42019000000002229 on the fact that officials of the Ukrainian Football Association abused their position in seizing other people's property in particularly large amounts. It is about spending the funds that the FFU received from UEFA and went on elite food products instead of the development of Ukrainian football", — delves into the topic Footballhub.com.ua (28.10.22).
As it has been repeatedly reported, in 2016-2017 UAF through the company Newport Management Limited received more than 4 million euros from UEFA as compensation for the participation of the Ukrainian national team in Euro-2016. After that, 18 orders were prepared for a total amount of 3.2 million euros, signed at the time by the General Secretary of the FFU Yuriy Zapisotsky, who was recently served with a charge of suspicion from the Prosecutor General's Office. The funds were then paid for a large amount of... tea, coffee, seafood and electrical equipment.
"Andrei Pavelko's wards bought 30 tons of elite tea, 10 tons of coffee, two tons of seafood and light bulbs from various offshore companies. In total, about 3.8 million euros, — journalists recalled some details of the investigation in a special story Tsn.ua (22.10.22). — According to the terms of the agreements, the port of Hamburg (Germany) was determined as the place of delivery. Journalists asked for comments at the UAF, but they do not comment on the investigation there.
At present, law enforcement agencies have registered six criminal proceedings investigating corruption in Ukrainian football under the leadership of Andrey Pavelko. In the framework of these proceedings, more than a hundred witnesses and officials have already been questioned».
In its turn, the Footballhub.com.ua portal turned to the somewhat forgotten topic of the corruption of UAF leaders in the "production" of artificial fields.
"This scheme stopped working with the termination of Andrii Pavelek's mandate as chairman of the Budget Committee of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine." — note the authors of the story (Footballhub.com.u.a, 27.10.22).
In journalistic investigations, there is enough documented and confirmed evidence of the anti-football and anti-state position of the UAF and its leaders. The claims against them by the law enforcement officers are quite objective and real, although those involved in the cases try to present the situation as if they were being hunted by... Russian aggressors led by the FSB. Such assumptions were made after Yuriy Zapisotsky was involved in another incident.
"The earlier suspicion was already handed to the general secretary of the UAF, Yuriy Zapisotskyi, upon crossing the border with Poland, — reminds Pavlo Klymenko (Fanday.net, 28.10.2022). — The UAF claims that the document handed over to the organization's general secretary is falsified.
Also, the Ukrainian Football Association is confident that Russia has launched a campaign against Pavelko because of his support for Ukraine's bid to host the World Cup together with Portugal and Spain in 2030».
A cynical "feint" aimed at turning state-scale thieves into dissident heroes is unlikely to succeed. But he briefly characterizes the extent to which UAF has detached itself from Ukrainian football itself, having "registered" somewhere in a parallel universe.
The situation with such management must be changed as soon as possible - more and more similar opinions are being voiced. Many of his colleagues are ready to subscribe to Hryhoriy Kozlovsky's impassioned speech. More and more often, the names of those who could contribute to the exit of our football from a deep crisis are brought up for discussion.
For example, Ihor Surkis is ready to support the candidacy of Andrii Shevchenko in the UAF presidential elections.
"I love and respect Andrey Shevchenko and I think he is a real professional, — cites the words of Dynamo manager Andriy Piskun (Fanday.net, 25.10.22). — If my vote counted, I would support his candidacy. But my vote, as well as the votes of 16 Premier League clubs, unfortunately, are not counted anywhere...»
Appears in the information space of the person of Roman Zozuli. A true patriot of Ukraine, who has been relentlessly helping our heroic Armed Forces lately, in the opinion of many, would look organically in a leadership position.
"I'd be lying if I said I never thought about it, — rebroadcasts Zozuli's post on his Facebook page Sport.u.a (26.10.22). — Of course, as a current football player, I have my own vision for the development of Ukrainian football. In addition, having played abroad for a long time, I have many ideas that I would like to adopt and implement in Ukraine. But everything has its time. The only victory I dream of today is the victory of Ukraine, and we will win the elections later."
Former goalkeeper of the Ukrainian national team Rustam Khudzhamov is ready to join forces with Roman.
"There are a few more former football players who are interested in changes in Ukrainian football, but I can't name them yet", - he admitted in an interview Fanday.net (26.10.22).
It is impossible not to agree with Zuzulya: the most important issue on the agenda in today's Ukraine is the promotion of the fastest possible victory in the bloody war with the Russian aggressor. However, it is also clear that the new, post-war state will deserve a completely different football - at least in the field of its organization and management. And for this, obviously, people of a new formation, a new outlook, a new time are needed.
Orest LELEKA
