Kyiv "Dynamo" bets on its own football players. Here, not only the work of the club's Academy is very important, but also the youth team. She is the transitional stage from youth to adult football. Ihor Kostyuk has been working as a U-19 coach for the fifth season. During this time, the team won the youth championship, was able to show itself in the UEFA Youth League and, most importantly, it is properly supplying personnel to the main team. Ihor Volodymyrovych talked about his own ambitions, the potential of players and the problems of youth football.
Ihor Kostyuk (photo: fcdynamo.com)— How would you rate the team's performance in the youth championship of Ukraine?
— We have a change of generations. The years 2003 and 2004 are actually leaving now. Since 2005, we have had 14 players in the team. The backbone of the team has eroded. A new one is being formed. Such processes are not painless. Individual mistakes lead to loss of points. These are normal processes for young football players who are just starting to play in the youth team. Something may not work out, somewhere we make noise, but we do not give up our ambitions. Despite lagging behind "Movement", we will fight for the championship.
— What will be decisive in the fight for the championship?
- Important personal matches. We still have matches against both championship rivals in the second round. There is a great desire to pay the "debt" to "Rukh" for the defeat in the first round. We were awarded two penalties in that match.
You have to win every match. Tune in to every opponent. The detachment from "Movement" does not allow it to be leveled only in the face-to-face game. So it's important to win all your matches and hope your opponents drop points. The quality of the game and the result is what we strive for.
— What criteria are used to select players for the Dynamo youth team?
- Speed, ball handling and intelligence. These are the three points that are now essential in modern football. They are also relevant for young people.
— What are the biggest problems in the youth team?
- It is necessary to put the guys on the rails of professionalism - preparation for training, the training process itself, recovery, nutrition, regime. This is the main point, because in children's football there are parents, the Academy. Here they themselves have to monitor these processes. They should take an example from senior comrades who are already in the first team. A coach needs to repeat the same things over and over.
It is nice when very young guys progress, change and then go to play in the world's leading leagues. This is a recognition that it was possible to find an approach to them.
— Do the footballers who moved to the first team or went to Europe keep in touch with you?
- Of course. We continue to communicate with the same Ilya Zabarny. For two years in the youth team, he was able to show his potential and interest Mircea Lucescu right after the Romanian specialist arrived at the club.
— At the U-19 level, you hardly conduct selections. Is this how the circumstances are, or is it necessary to work with pupils of one's own school?
— At the age of 16-17, everyone has contracts with clubs, everyone has their own agent. At this age, it is already difficult to sign new players. Do not forget that the competition for football players is also growing. In recent years, the "Movement" Academy has been actively working. Add here Shakhtar, Metalist, Dnipro-1. That's why we work with the students of our school, but if there is an opportunity to sign a talented player, then no one will refuse it.
— Do you rate the players born in 2006 who are currently playing on loan for Zorya?
- Of course. We follow each player as they play in the same youth championship. We watch everything from everyday life to purely football moments.
— How important are UEFA Youth League matches?
- This is a great experience. Also additional emotions. For the players, it's an irritant - Benfica, Bayern Munich, Barcelona. Playing against such famous teams, even at the youth level, is especially prestigious.
We analyze each opponent in detail, define a game plan. When the players see that the coaching instructions are working, it brings the team together from the inside. This is a mental step forward, understanding not only one's own skill and capabilities, but also the importance of team play, tactical construction and its observance during the match.
The players rely not only on their individual skills, but also on the coach, his preparation for the match, tactics. If it all works, it gives the footballers wings and adds insight into new opportunities.
— What does the UEFA Youth League mean to you as a coach?
— A set of factors — motivation, interest, curiosity, responsibility.
When we analyze opponents, we search for the right tactics for the match, based on the strengths and weaknesses of the opponent. Each team has its own style. For a coach, every such game is a development.
— What does the coach who defeated "Bavaria" or "Barcelona" or "Benfica" feel?
- Awareness that you are on the right path. Such victories make you stronger. You get a huge experience, achieve even greater interaction with the players. If you managed to win, it means that the guys understood your ideas and requirements.
— Do you communicate with the coaches of opponents in the UEFA Youth League?
- So. I am in contact with the coach of the youth team of "Bayern" Dani Halm. He wrote a message after face-to-face matches. Congratulations on the victory and a good game. I was pleased. After the match in La Coruña against Deportivo, he also wrote and said that he considered Dynamo to be one of the favorites of last year's tournament. When the war started, he offered help.
— There were no chances in the match against Sporting?
- We all understand the reasons. The emotional component of the boys after the start of the war was not the best. The first half was emotionally burnt out - the anthem, the flags, the atmosphere in the stands is patriotic. During the break, they rebuilt. Scored a goal, could have equalized the score. But a little was not enough.
— What is the strongest opponent for all the years of performances in the UEFA Youth League?
— "Anderlecht".
— In 2003, 2004, 2005, the youth national teams of Ukraine did not have Dynamo goalkeepers. How would you rate the potential of the existing goalkeepers?
— 20-year-old Denys Ignatenko, who recently signed a new contract with the club, is currently practicing for us. There is Yura Avramenko in 2005. We have goalkeeper coach Oleksandr Moroz, who is in constant contact with the first team and Mikhail Mykhaylov. They decide who will train with the first team, who will play for our team. They consult among themselves, make decisions. This is their area of responsibility.
— Kostyantyn Vyvcharenko is already a full-fledged player of the first team. What is its potential?
- He is a professional. A very stubborn and hard-working guy. Understands what he needs. He goes to his goal at every training session. Always 100 percent working. Such players require trust and experience. Kostya showed far from all his capabilities and can still make serious progress.
— In the last season, you mainly had a pair of Bol-Dyachuk defenders. Anton was given big advances, but Maxim plays in the first team. What is the reason?
— This is the first team coach's choice. A decision to be respected. Lucescu now saw Diachuk in the background. Maksym has experience performing in the UPL. He spent the first part of last season in "Alexandria". Bol played only at the youth and youth level.
Anton had a serious injury in 2020. He missed a long deadline. He still has a long way to go. You just need to work tirelessly. No one knows when you will have a chance to shine. A player must always be ready to take his chance.
— Are you satisfied with Maxim's game for the first team?
- I would draw analogies with his coming to us - a lot of desire, a lot of emotions. A little lacking tactically. Now emotions prevent me from playing with a cool head. Practice and experience required. Maxim's potential is huge.
— Yatsyk and Bol are already 20 years old. They have been in the youth team for the third season already, and in the first season they could not fully break through. Having trouble with motivation?
— I believe that both already have the level to play at the UPL level. Physically and psychologically, Sashko and Anton are ready to play at the level of adult football. Lucescu has his own vision of each player.
In the current situation, every chance must be taken. If they give some time in the first team or playing practice in U-19. You need to show your professionalism and potential.
— Volodymyr Brazhko became one of the leaders of Zorya. Were you surprised by his progress?
- No. He should have played even earlier if he hadn't torn his cruciate ligament two years ago. Volodymyr was out for a long time. It was necessary to get in shape and catch up with partners. Now Brazhko was able to show his qualities. He is capable of playing even harder.
— Now Oleg Salenko's son, Roman, is playing in your team in the support zone. How is he doing?
— Roma came to us in the summer. Very responsible, physically strong, hardy. There are the father's genes. He has no experience of performing in the supporting zone. He played more in attack. Salenko does not always orientate and assess the moment correctly. He has great potential. Must work and progress. Everything depends on him. If he can rebuild, he will be a competitive player.
— Anton Tsarenko scored the first goal for the adult team in the goal of "Minaya". He does not have a large anthropometry. Will height not stop him from reaching his potential?
— I hope that Anton's football intelligence will allow him to compensate for his short stature. He makes decisions very quickly. The tactics of the team are important, where these strong qualities of Tsarenko can be used, and the weak ones can be hidden. I believe that Anton has good prospects and can achieve a lot in football not only in Ukraine.
— How important is anthropometry in football and especially in youth football when height can be crucial?
- Look at Barcelona. At one time, Xavi, Iniesta were one of the best in their positions in the world. Now it's happening again with Gavi. Speed, decision-making become the main thing.
For children's football, players with good anthropometry can bring results. Problems arise later, when they move into youth or professional football, when these qualities cannot make a difference. Everything is measured by decision-making, intelligence. So this is a double-edged sword. It is important for me to prepare players for adult football. Here intelligence is more important than anthropometry.
— Andrii Matkevich scored 8 goals in the fall. What do you say about him?
— Andriy is one of those players who works as hard as possible in training. A great professional in small matters. There are no details and trifles for him. This is given to him during matches.
— Samba Diallo is considered one of the main assets in Dynamo. How did he end up in Kyiv?
— Samba came to Ukraine at the beginning of March. I liked his football qualities in the first training session. The next day, he fell ill with covid. The positive test "lasted" for one and a half months. All this time he lived at the base in isolation until the end of the season.
The managers of the club asked, do I need this football player? I replied that I wanted to look at it more thoroughly. What I saw amazed me. It was decided not to return to Senegal, but to stay in Kyiv. He worked individually while the team was on vacation. From the first training sessions after the vacation, it was clear that he is a talented player. The club signed a contract with him very quickly. I am very pleased that such footballers are moving to Dynamo.
— Diallo speaks French. How is your communication?
- In the language of football. If a person has football qualities, it is easy for him with every coach. On the football field, the player understands everything. It is enough to arrange the chips on the board for Samba to understand how to play and train. And seriously, there is a translator who conveys everything.
— He showed well in the UEFA Youth League. They wrote about interest from various teams. Then Samba "surrendered". What is the problem?
— Many young players were taken to the training sessions in the winter of 2022, and he was left with the youth team. Samba was one of the leaders and influenced our game. In my opinion, when he was not taken, it contributed to his decline. This question has now been exhausted.
— What is the situation with him now?
— He is already in Kyiv. I saw him and talked to him at the base. Diallo is in good spirits. Came from a national team that was successful in Africa. He was the captain of the team, scored goals. We now expect no worse results for the club.
— Is samba training with the youth team?
— He is a player of the first team. His performances for the youth team depend on Lucescu's decisions and his desire. Until the summer, he can still play for our team, given his age.
— At the end of 2021, the club signed Mehdi El-Khamishli. But he never played for Dynamo. What is his fate?
— They thought that he would help us in terms of football. We expected him to help us. With the beginning of the war, he went abroad and suspended the contract. But we have high competition. He could not stand her. Now he is no longer under contract with Dynamo.
— Igor Horbach was given large advances. Despite the problem with the forward in the first team, Lucescu does not pay attention to him. Is he immature or unable to live up to expectations?
— The competition in the first team is high. Now Vlad Vanat is getting his chance. I believe that Eric Ramirez is a strong striker who will still prove himself. Vladyslav Supryaga did not say his last word.
Horbach suffered a serious injury when he only joined the youth team in 2004. He missed half a year. Maybe he lost his confidence and sense of purpose somewhere. Perhaps his career would have been different if not for health problems. I believe he has potential.
— How do you feel about inviting foreigners to the youth team?
- It's normal. This is the world practice of modern football. It is necessary to work with legionnaires. There is no way without it now.
I really liked Joseph Okoroko. It's like Yaya Toure in his youth. He played defender. When he moved to the U-21, he developed ARS syndrome. Ceased to withstand the load. I was interested in working with him, but look how it turned out.
— Does the staff accept foreigners normally?
- Absolutely. No problems. Everyone supports and helps.
— Nazar Voloshyn was one of the leaders of the youth team. Spent half a year in Kryvbas. Now trying to establish himself in the first team. Is UPL experience important for a young player?
- Of course. If "Dynamo" cannot withstand the competition, then it is necessary to move in a different way. Not only Nazar, but also Brazhko, Dyachuk are solid players with potential, now their time is coming. Gaining experience in other teams is a normal practice in the football world.
— Gio Tsitaishvili was given large advances. He did not justify them, neither in Ukraine, nor now in Poland. What is the reason?
— Psychology, coach's confidence. This is all at the level of a mentor's work with a football player. We know that Georgians are emotional. Gio is a prime example of this. The coach and the player must find a common language. A football player must play for the team. To obey team actions and to work for the result.
Before the game with Anderlecht, I had a conversation with Gio. I explained to him that he would not be able to last all 90 minutes of the match (two days before the match against Anderlecht, he had played a full match for the U-21s on artificial turf). We needed to step up our game in the second half. His freshness and creativity were needed. Gio was to become a joker. In the UEFA Youth League match against Anderlecht, Tsitaishvili came on as a substitute with a score of 0:1. Scored from a penalty kick, influenced the course of the game and changed the course of the match.
— Do the coaches of other teams approach you for characteristics before signing former Dynamo players?
- So. They ask about everyday life, work in a team, personal qualities. If anyone needs my advice, I'm always open. Now Yura Wirth called about Danylo Khondak.
— Name the wards who had potential, but could not realize it?
- I hope that they will be able to - this is Vikenty Voloshyn, who was different at the youth level. Danylo Skorko, Bohdan Biloshevskyi - they had very good potential.
— Ilya Zabarny became the club's most expensive transfer. You worked with him for a long time. Tell us about him.
— If you say "problem-free football player", then it is about him. Reads your thoughts. Plays the way I think it should. He is always confident and calm. He has football intelligence. This allowed him to become the main player in Dynamo and in the national team.
— Did you watch Lucescu's training?
- So. A large amount of work. Great training intensity. It doesn't matter if it's recovery or pregame. Pays a lot of attention to tactics, especially in attack.
— What is the communication with Lucescu? Does he ask about the players or does he make decisions himself?
- He has his own view. He himself decides who to invite from the youth team to training. Of course, we communicate with Mircea, but communication is mainly through assistants. They communicate who will train with the first team and who will get game practice with the youth team.
— How much time do you spend at the base?
— I arrive in the morning, get ready for training. After that, I analyze the training. I work out statistics, prepare for matches.
— How many times do you watch the matches?
— Once when we do the editing.
— You were repeatedly "matched" to the first team in light of the fact that the club is betting on its own pupils. How do you feel about this information?
- It's very nice. There are many of my pupils. I understand their potential, their psychology.
- Are you ready for this challenge?
— I'm moving towards it. In the fall, he received a UEFA PRO license. This is the highest coaching category. Now there is an opportunity to work at the level of UPL and foreign championships. I am interested in coaching progress, development of players under my own control. I want not only to work with them for 2-3 years, but also to win gold awards, Cups in adult football and perform successfully in European Cups.
— Now the economic and political situation is such that there are no foreigners. Thanks to its own school, will it be able to support the Dynamo brand and be successful not only in Ukraine, but also in Europe?
— In my opinion, in Ukraine you can play with your own players and be successful. In the European Cups, you need to strengthen point by point for success.
— Do you consider yourself in the category of "dynamo hearts"?
— I am calm about it. I am from Kyiv, born and raised in the capital. "Dynamo" and Oleksandr Oleksandrovich Shpakov raised me as a player. And Shpakov personally contributed to my development as a person.
I made my coaching career thanks to the results of my work, and I did not get a position because of a successful career as a football player. I work according to the Spanish methodology, which was adopted during the time of working in Serhiy Rebrov's club. I worked with Vicente Gómez and Unai Melgosa for two years, which gave me an awareness of this model of football player development. But I still paid attention to study, analysis of the opponent and tactical adjustments.
As for the coaches, it is interesting to watch the evolution of Pep Guardiola. From working in Barcelona to MC, he has changed significantly. It was very impressive how the coach of the Moroccan national team, Walid Regraghi, united the team, the players trusted him and fulfilled the requirements. This led to the semi-finals. Carlo Ancelotti really likes the construction of teams. From the days of Andriy Shevchenko's Milan to the modern Real
The same Serhiy Rebrov also went from being a coach of youth teams, an assistant to the main team of Dynamo.
— You have been working with the youth team for the fifth season. Every two years you have to do the same thing - form a new team. Are you losing your motivation and football acuity?
— I want to move on. This is a normal desire for every mentor. Experience the moments when your football players grow with you and reach great heights.
— Were there offers from other teams?
— It is inappropriate to talk about it now. There were such proposals, but I would not like to talk about them specifically. I work at Dynamo.
— The generation of "Dynamo" pupils of the late 90s. Do you, Shovkovskyi, Shevchenko, Vashchuk, Fedorov, keep in touch?
- So. We communicate with Andriy and Vlad. Serhiy is in my headquarters. Sashko works as an assistant to the head coach.
— How did you experience that your friends reached the semi-finals of the Champions League, and you stayed away?
- Take it easy. There was no jealousy. Only joy for friends.
— Little is known about Kostyuk outside of football. Tell us a little about yourself.
— I spend my free time with my family. We like to travel. When I have free time, I can go fishing.
— How do you deal with emotions after the game?
— I have a little daughter. She is the main emotional balance for me.
Serhii Tyshchenko
