Former head coach of Dynamo Kyiv and the Ukrainian national team, Jozsef Szabo, shared his opinion on the European Cup draw, which took place on November 7 in Nyon, Switzerland.
Jozsef Szabo— What can you say about Shakhtar's prospects in the rivalry with Rennes?
— For Donetsk residents, this is a normal lot. Let's see how they will look later, closer to the matches with the French. After all, if Shakhtar sell Mudrik, then this fact will also matter. There was a lot of noise around this guy: they say he is already worth 100 million euros. But this, in my opinion, is a lot. God forbid that the Donetsk club sell him for 25-30 million. However, back to Rennes. I repeat: this is a normal opponent, and I think that Shakhtar can beat him. We saw Rennes in matches with Dynamo - this is a good team. In the French championship, she shares the third-fourth places, which indicates her high level. Given that Shakhtar is due to face Rennes in the second half of February, there is still time for the Pitmen's coaching staff to study the opponent in the most thorough way. It is quite possible that Igor Jovicevich will talk about the features of the game and the players of the French team with Dynamo coaches. Although I can say that February is traditionally not an easy month for our teams. I don't know how Shakhtar will prepare for the European Cup matches and the spring part of the championship. In the first match, the miners must take on the opponent at the stadium, which serves as a home stadium. I understand that it will be the Pepsi Arena in Warsaw.
- I would like to believe that in more than three months the situation in the war will change so much that Shakhtar will play the home match in Ukraine...
— Oh, I don't think so. The situation is difficult, very difficult. God grant that your words come true and everything in our country returns to normal thanks to the victory.
- If everything happens like this, then we will certainly drink a glass of wine on such an occasion.
— (Smiling). You are wine and I am coffee! I'm not used to alcohol, so everyone says to me: "And what kind of a man are you?" And I answer: "They didn't teach." In our large family, my father and mother did not allow me to smoke and drink. What can you do - that's the kind of person I am (smiles).
- How do you assess the chances of Dnipro-1, which will meet in the Conference League with Cypriot AEK in February?
- Also a normal draw. I think that Dnepr-1 will beat the Larnaca team. Will definitely pass. At least, I judge by the state of today. And how it will be in three months is very difficult to say. The main factor in my confidence in the forecast for a two-round duel with AEK is the preservation of the Dnipro-1 squad. If it remains unchanged in winter, then the Dnieper will certainly defeat the Cypriot rival. It's football, we'll see.
- Now the focus of various scouts and agents who are hunting for Ukrainian players is also two representatives of the Dnipro team - midfielder Oleksandr Pikhalyonok and forward Artem Dovbik. "Dnepr-1" with and without them, as they say in Odessa, are two big differences...
— Yes, both are good football players. I don't know for sure, but it is quite possible that Pikhalenka and Dovbik will be sold in the winter. True, this will happen only if Dnepr-1 is given an amount of money that suits it completely. Giving players away for free is inappropriate, because both need to be kept in the Dnipro club for a while. I think that it makes sense for these players to complete the 2022/23 season with Dnipro-1, and prepare for a possible transfer in the summer. Indeed, in the middle of the championship, pulling out the leading players and selling them is irrational. The one who maintains Dnepr-1 has enough money to delay the sale.
Vyacheslav Kulchitsky
