Defender Kostyantyn Vyvcharenko, who in the current season became a player of the first team of Dynamo Kyiv, summed up the results of the half-year, recalled his debut at the professional level, and also talked about how he spends the time of the winter break.
— After your debut for Dynamo's first team in the game against Fenerbahce, you said that you almost didn't sleep at night because of your emotions. Do you already feel like a full-fledged player of the main bracket?
— Of course, it's always nice to be a first-team player. However, you need to constantly work and prove that you deserve a place in the main bracket of Dynamo.
— Score the debut goal immediately in the Champions League — is it a special feeling, especially for a defender?
— Yes, the "Sturm" goal is one of the most memorable events for me and my family. Therefore, of course, emotions were overflowing and after the match I could not sleep for a long time.
— Can Dynamo's third place after the first round be considered an acceptable result, considering how the team started the championship? Could you have assumed that Dnipro-1 would impose competition and overtake Dynamo and Shakhtar?
— Of course not, because "Dynamo" should always be in the highest places. Probably, no one expected such a result, because we started this championship very badly. Now every team goes out and fights with the giants.
— Can we say that the war conditions have equalized the opportunities of all clubs and there is no longer a gap between the top teams and the UPL middlemen?
— Every team is now trying to take points away from the top clubs, so sometimes there are intrigues and unexpected results. This only adds even more momentum to our championship.
— In general, how would you rate 2022 for the team and for you personally?
— This was the most difficult year for all of us, not only for football, but also for the whole country. As for the football component, we traveled a lot from one city to another, we didn't have a permanent base - it was difficult because we played a lot of matches this year. Moving took a lot of energy and emotions, so of course it left its mark.
— Which match in the first part of the season do you consider to be the most successful for Dynamo, and vice versa — which do you want to erase from your memory?
— On the positive side, I will probably single out the match with Sturm. And the game with Dnipro-1 turned out to be very unfortunate for us.
— What motivates you not to give up, not to lose heart in morally difficult periods?
— First of all, this is my family and, of course, our soldiers who sacrifice their lives every day for our good. We are very grateful to our military!
— You have demonstrated that you can both assist your partners and score a goal yourself. Do you have communication with the head coach, does he advise you to join attacks more, take the initiative?
— Yes, the head coach always prompts and says what he wants to see from me on the field.
— A positive result of this year — entry of the youth national team of Ukraine to Euro-2023. You qualified with dignity and confidence, losing only to the powerful French team. What are your goals in the final part?
— Yes, we played very well, and I think we deserved to go to the European Championship. Of course, in the final part, you want to go as far as possible.
— How do you spend your free time in the off-season?
— Now I am resting, walking around the city and meeting with friends.
— Your native Odesa is currently without electricity due to Russian attacks. Is it possible to keep in touch with the family, or is everyone safe?
— I try to communicate with my relatives every day, although sometimes it is not possible to call due to the lack of light and communication. But the most important thing is that everyone is healthy and safe.
— Are any of your relatives or friends defending Ukraine at the front?
— Like many people, I have friends who fight on the front lines and protect us from the enemy.
— Do you watch the World Cup and which team do you support?
— Yes, I follow the championship and cheer for the Argentine national team. I hope she will be the winner.
— Which of the world stars in your position impresses you?
— Now it is one hundred percent the left defender of Milan and the French national team Theo Hernandez.
— And finally: what would you like to wish Dynamo fans and all Ukrainians at the end of the year?
— First of all, I would like to wish all of us a peaceful sky, good health and patience. Glory to Ukraine!