Forward of Kyiv "Dynamo" Vladislav Vanat summed up the results of the team's performance in the first part of the season in the Ukrainian championship and European cups.
Vladislav Vanat. Photo — Oksana Vasilyeva— What results of the first part of the season can you sum up? Has the war left a serious imprint on the conduct of matches?
— Yes, definitely. Although, of course, we tried not to pay attention and not think about the possibility of an air raid. But, of course, in the subconscious, they always remembered that there was a war going on in our country. Fortunately, there was only one alarm during the matches - when we played with Rukh, otherwise we managed to more or less calmly hold the championship.
We had a lot of moves, and this, of course, also affected, but we had to deal with it - there was no other way. I know that the head coach often spoke about this, and I agree with him.
- According to the results of the first round, Dynamo finished in third place, how can you comment on this result?
- We started the championship very badly, and only after we moved to Ukraine after the end of performances in the group stage of the Europa League, we started playing better, but still did not reach the level of last year. It’s hard for me to say what this is connected with, maybe with the psychological state of the players. Many things did not work out, it was not always possible to show your usual football.
- Did you expect Dnepr-1 to break into the lead?
- Even at the beginning of the championship, it seemed to me that they would be at least in the top three, because they have a good team, they have strong players in each position. And my expectations were confirmed. I know the team well, I have friends there, so their current first place was not a surprise to me.
- This season you became a player of the main team, having taken part in 13 matches out of 15, do you feel additional responsibility or pressure? Or does this fact cause only positive emotions?
— There is always pressure in football. But in general, emotions, of course, are positive. I want to go on the field in every match, score goals and help the team win. When I come on as a substitute, it is sometimes difficult to fit into the team's game, especially when the result has not yet been achieved. But I'm learning to deal with it, I'm sure everything will come with experience. Plus, senior partners help and suggest, sometimes they can even “cram”, but always to the point.
— Do you have conversations with the head coach? Do you feel his confidence that he is counting on you not only now, but also in the future?
— Yes, there are such conversations, Lucescu often tells me what can be improved in my game. He is an experienced person, and his remarks help me a lot. I try to do everything he says, and he already evaluates how well I do it.
- The team scored 24 goals in 15 matches, on average - less than two goals per game, is this not the best performance indicator?
- This season, we really do not score much, probably, this is due to the fact that many opponents have already learned how to play against us, so we need to come up with something new - original and unforeseen solutions.
- In the championship you scored 5 goals, which one do you remember the most?
- Probably a goal for Kryvbas, then Sidorchuk gave me a pass, I beat the defender and kicked the ball with my right foot - it turned out to be a beautiful shot. In general, of course, I like all my balls, but I would single out this one.
- At the group stage of the Europa League, you scored against the Cypriot AEK from Buyalsky's pass, did you experience special feelings about this?
- Yes, because it was my first European Cup goal, such an event will always be in my memory. I remember that I experienced positive emotions then, but it’s a pity that we didn’t win that fight.
- This season, your teammate Vitaliy Buyalsky scores a lot and gives assists, although he is not a nominal striker. How is the new scorer perceived in the team?
— Normally perceived. Vitalik is a high-level football player, he always works hard in training. He succeeds in class, and he transfers it to the game. I have a good understanding with him, because Vitalik is a very smart footballer, and also an experienced one. He knows well when to pass and when to hit, so it's easy to play with him.
- Do you set individual goals for yourself, for example, to score a certain number of goals or become the top scorer at the end of the season?
- Of course, I put it, I think about it, but now I won't talk about them. I’ll tell you at the end of the season about what the goals were and whether we managed to achieve them.
- What are your plans for the near future, where and how will you spend your vacation?
- I plan to spend my entire vacation at home, in Kamyanets-Podolsk, together with my family, relatives and friends. Perhaps I’ll also go to visit friends, but I haven’t really thought about it yet.
“War is a huge psychological pressure, it’s not easy for everyone right now. Who helps you cope with stress and worries?
- I'm trying to manage myself. I have contacts of certain units, I communicate with the guys who are fighting at the front, I help them as best I can. I really want them all to return home safe and sound. By the way, many of our football players help the military, they may not talk about it, but in practice everyone helps. Sometimes they are approached with some requests, sometimes they themselves are interested in what is needed and try to provide our soldiers with everything necessary.
- Are any of your relatives and friends fighting?
- No, there is no one on the front line. But for other guys, I know that relatives or friends are at war, and they worry about them.
