Ukrainian football finally went on a winter break. Sports Arena begins to sum up the interim results of the performances of our teams in the first half of the season. Analyzing the autumn part of the season, Vasyl Kardash, ex-Dynamo midfielder and now assistant head coach of the youth national team of Ukraine, noted the successful performances of "Alexandria", praised "Rukh" and named the best players of the championship of Ukraine.
Vasily Kardash— In the spring, and at the beginning of the summer, it was difficult to assume that the Ukrainian football championship would start. Of course, all this happened because of the aggression of fascist Russia against our country. What are your thoughts on this?
— Of course, we all want Ukraine to win the war against these inhumans. It is clear that we want to live in a peaceful country. The fact that the championship in the UPL, first and second leagues has started is a big deal. Otherwise, we would have been set back three years. Credit must be paid to club owners who, in such difficult times, finance clubs and give players the opportunity to do what they love. And fans can, at least for a while, be distracted from the war.
— Judging by the standings, the confident performance of "Dnipro-1" — the main sensation of our club season? All the same, Oleksandr Kucher — still a young coach.
— Even before Kucher's possible transfer from Metalist to Dnipro-1, there were many conversations. But we see that Evgeny Krasnikov, an experienced manager, moved to Dnipro with Oleksandr Kucher. They made a good tandem. We should add that Krasnikov and Kucher are very ambitious. But the fact that "Dnipro-1" will winter in the first place, probably no one could believe. But it was possible to impose a struggle on our giants at a distance. What we saw: Dnipro-1 created serious competition for Shakhtar and Dynamo Kyiv. The second part of the season will be all the more interesting.
— Our ancient rivals — Shakhtar and Dynamo. Which of them had a better first round of the UPL?
— The whole picture is difficult to describe. There were different sections, both good and not so good, both in the "miners" and in Kyiv. Perhaps this is due to early preparation for European Cups, tight schedule (two matches per week), numerous moves. I think it will be interesting in the spring.
— Which of the middle-class clubs could prove themselves best?
— I will note the game and performance of "Alexandria". After the departure of Volodymyr Sharan, the team was headed by Yuriy Gura, a young specialist. He should be given credit. The work of the new coaching staff of "Alexandria" is interesting to watch. And the composition of "Alexandria" has changed. At the same time, they gained points steadily, rising to the fifth place.
Regarding not discoveries, but the debt game, for perspective, I will single out the Lviv "Rukh". Many young trainees of "Movement" join the main team. Yes, they lack stability somewhere, but they are very well trained and know how to play football. It is important to praise the head coach of the team, Leonid Kuchuk. He knows how to prepare guys both psychologically and physically. It is necessary that the boys do not hide and show their level of football.
— Who, in your opinion, is the best player of the Ukrainian Premier League? Many in their answers name Mykhailo Mudryk, Viktor Tsygankov, Vitaly Buyalskyi, Artem Dovbyk.
— Agree with this list of players to choose from. They stand out in their teams, in our championship. All these football players play in different positions, so the opinion can be somewhat subjective.
Of course, I would like to mention Artem Dovbyk. He scores a lot, shows the best qualities of a center forward. I believe that many clubs in Europe want to buy him.
Buyalsky stands out in the middle line. Vitaly scores a lot of goals, and winning ones.
Mudrik flourished. He used to be promising, and now Mykhailo is showing effective football. It is not for nothing that he is in such demand in the best leagues in Europe.
Viktor Tsygankov has been in the ring of the best Ukrainian football players for many years. It's a sign of class.
— Such well-known clubs, teams with traditions, Kryvbas and Chornomorets, are still not impressive. For what reason?
— Let's remember that Grigorchuk accepted Chornomorets in the winter, and Vernydub only in the summer. Perhaps there is not enough time for work. But the people of Kryvyi Rih have already started to collect points and, probably, in the spring we will see the success of the two title-winning teams. Everything has its time.
