On Thursday, May 4, in an away match of the 24th matchday of the Ukrainian championship Dynamo Kyiv beat Poltava Vorskla 2:1. The game took place in Poltava at the Vorskla stadium named after Olexiy Butovskyi. Here is the post-match press conference of the head coaches.
Alexander Shovkovsky. Photo by A. PopovOleksandr SHOVKOVSKY, Acting Head Coach of Dynamo:
- We were preparing for this game, we understood what qualities our opponent plays with. But, unfortunately, we missed the goal at the beginning as a result of the opponent's actions, about which we told the guys before the match. We warned them to be careful and responsible with such passes from Vorskla`s forward.
We conceded, but continued to stick to the game plan. In general, I am pleased with the actions of our team, its motivation, dedication and the way the guys strove to get the result we needed. We knew that our opponent won his match in this round, so we had no right to misfire today.
- Did you or Lucescu decide the roster for the match? And who makes certain decisions?
- These are individual questions, to which I will not answer. Of course, we are constantly in touch with the head coach. We talked this morning, several times yesterday, too. He always keeps in touch with the team, sends his greetings to everyone, and we also wish him a speedy recovery and a return to the field.
And decisions are made depending on the situation on the soccer field. But we are constantly in touch.
- Why did Dynamo look a bit confused in the first half? Do you think the first half was a failure for your team?
- I do not think the first half was a failure. Of course, there were some problems, we knew how the rival would play. But the arrangements for the game in the second half were better. For some reason it did not work in the first half. At halftime we made some extra points. And the boys were more responsible in executing what was required of them.
Victor Skripnik, head coach "Vorskla":
- We lost to a team that has been the flagship of Ukrainian soccer for almost a century. In the first half we had a very good chance to score two or three goals. It pleased us, but Dynamo is Dynamo. Those chances that we gave this team, they used by 100 percent.
It turned out to be a fighting game in which each team wanted to win. We were determined that after the air raid, we would have a chance. And we created it. But, unfortunately, we did not get to the goal.
We wanted to play fighting soccer, not to close, but we have what we have. I am pleased with the way the guys played in the first half, but in the second half of the game "Dynamo" played according to the score, and this team had good substitutes, which added the quality of their game. But we look at ourselves: today we lacked composure a little. We had chances, but we did not take advantage of them.
- Compare the two games with Dynamo in this championship - in the first round (1:1) and today (1:2).
- In the first game we, so to speak, played against the ball and waited for our chance, when "Dynamo" already thought that they would go to the break with the score 1-0. We took advantage of the opponent's relaxation and then defended the tie.
But today it was a different game. We originally tried to look for and use our chances. But again, Dynamo is Dynamo.
Oleksandr POPOV from Vorskla stadium named after Oleksiy Butovskyy
