The author of the first goal in the game Dynamo vs Ingulets Aleksandr Kozak told about how his team was preparing to the start of the second round of the Ukrainian championship, about his worries in the match with the Bilo-Syni and innovations by Serhii Kovalets.
Alexander Kozak- What were your thoughts on going to the first match in 2023?
- We have been tuning for the match against Dynamo for a long time. Even during the training camp in Turkey we thoroughly analyzed the opponent. Our coaches went to watch Dynamo matches at the training camp, they showed us everything on video. We knew perfectly well what to expect from every Dynamo player. We went to the locker room after the game with Dynamo Kyiv and it was like we were still at the training camp. Somewhere we are still not adjusted to the fact that the official matches have started. We have not yet realized that we beat Dynamo in the official match.
- Why did you beat Dynamo?
- Our game plan worked. We wanted the hosts' central defenders to initiate attacks by using their central midfielders. We had to take the ball away and run on the counterattack. And so it happened - we had two rebounds, ran on offense and scored two goals.
- Your goal was extremely important. Right?
- Of course, many factors came together. There were my family members in the stands: my dad, wife and brother. I remember, in Kropivnitskiy before, I scored a goal to Dynamo, but it was not counted. Now, after the goal I was worried again: whether they would count it or not. This was my first goal for Dynamo.
- This day was favorable for Ingults. The first victory over the capital's giants will be remembered...
- Yes, everything turned out great. Everything was great.
- Sasha, did you have any worries in the second half, because the Kyiv team rushed to score?
- I can`t say that the hosts created any danger at our goal. We discussed everything with our coaching staff at half time. We understood that there would be a rush at our goal. I think we did it.
- What`s changed your new head coach Sergiy Kovalets?
- Sergiy talks a lot with the guys. Psychology is very important. It's important for our guys to go out on the field, not to worry and it doesn`t matter against whom you play. That's the credo of Sergiy Kovalets. It is important to enjoy the game.
- Even after this victory, "Ingulets" is at the bottom of the standings...
- It is necessary to rebound from this victory. We need to tune in to the next game against Metalist. We know that we have a good calendar ahead of us. We can take points. It is clear that everyone wants to get higher in the standings.
- The question is about the lawn in Petrovo. In November, there were a lot of complaints about the lawn of your stadium. Where will you host the rivals in the next matches?
- I don`t know yet. Probably, in Petrovo. I would like to play all home matches at the Dynamo Stadium named after Valeriy Lobanovskiy. The lawn is great for the beginning of March. Although, as I heard, the Dynamo players are not satisfied with the quality of the soccer field.
