Dynamo Kyiv goalkeeper Denys Boyko told how his recovery is progressing, when he will be able to return to the general group and how the team reacted to the appointment of Oleksandr Shovkovskyi as assistant head coach of the White-Blues.
Denis Boyko. Photo: fcdynamo.com— Denis, how are you feeling?
- Everything is fine, thank you. The second phase of recovery and preparation has begun. Feeling good, very happy to be back working with the team and seeing all the guys. I missed them very much, because we did not see each other for three months after my operation. Extremely happy to be back at the team location now.
— How is your recovery going? We know that you started jogging a week ago.
— Everything is going according to plan, step by step. Indeed, 5-7 days ago I started running. The physical training coaches and our doctors know my work plan, everything is laid out. We are systematically preparing for me to resume my training in the general group and to be able to fully work with the team.
— When can we see you in the general group?
— Everything comes down to 2-3 months of recovery and regular training. Probably, during this period, I will already be able to work on the football field and in the general group.
— You had alternative recovery options, both in Ukraine and in Europe, but you decided to join the team. What was the reason for your decision?
— I really missed the team, the guys. Frankly, long-term recovery is mentally and psychologically challenging. It's routine work, every day for 5-6 hours for a long period of time you do the same exercises and it's a little depressing. Such monotonous work is tiring, but I understand very well that it is an integral part of the recovery process. Every day, I must do the exercises that doctors and physiotherapists have suggested to me as much as possible. It is much easier to do it with a team, because you are in a team, after recovery procedures you have the opportunity to communicate with partners, share your impressions. This is very important, first of all, psychologically.
— Recently, Oleksandr Shovkovskyi joined the coaching staff of Dynamo. How did you take this news and what will the legendary goalkeeper add to the Dynamo team?
— First of all, I want to congratulate Oleksandr Volodymyrovych on his return to our team. This is truly a legend of the club, a person who gave all the years of his playing career only to Dynamo Kyiv and the national team. Therefore, without exaggeration, he can and should be called a legend of the club.
I believe that he will strengthen our coaching staff, because Oleksandr Volodymyrovych is a young specialist who is developing, learning and aims to help Dynamo and achieve new great successes together with our club. Therefore, I believe that this will be a great plus and help for the coaching staff and the entire team. He will be able to transfer his experience, knowledge gained during his studies and work in the national team of Ukraine. This will be a big plus for all the guys in our team.
— Oleksandr Shovkovsky did not need time to adapt, the team has already received him very warmly.
— He spent more than 20 years in Kyiv "Dynamo", knows everything here like the back of his hand. Many players, still young at the time, remember playing with them on the football field at the end of their playing careers. Therefore, I believe, Alexander does not need adaptation, he immediately joined the team. I wish him success and great success with our team.
