After signing a new two-year contract with Dynamo Kyiv, the capital's midfielder Oleksandr Karavayev shared his emotions and impressions.
Alexander Karavayev- I am very pleased. Over the past two months, I have been talking to my family about this, we have been weighing up the pros and cons, thinking about what is best to do. I expressed my opinion, my wife expressed hers. We decided that I should stay. I remember when I signed my first contract with Dynamo four years ago, you also asked me about my impressions and goals - they remained unchanged: I said then that I wanted to win trophies with Dynamo, and I did, I remember all the feelings and emotions about the victories, and now I want to do it in the future, to feel the same again by winning the championship. With such thoughts, goals and motivation, I decided to sign a new contract, continue my cooperation with Dynamo and fight for the highest places.
- In four years, you and Dynamo have won five trophies - is this a good result?
- Good, but not the best. You always want to achieve the maximum. There are circumstances, there are rivals, but everything depends on us. I am more motivated now than ever before. Now at the training camp we are doing everything possible to improve our game. Of course, we will draw conclusions from the last season, which, in my opinion, was a failure. But this is good material to work with, from which we must learn the right lessons. We'll leave the disadvantages in the past and take only the positive aspects into the new season.
- What was the key factor and main reason for you to stay in the team?
- My ambition as an athlete. I remember myself as a child, in my youth, when I started my professional career - I always set myself the highest goals, I wanted to play at the highest level for the top club and for the national team. Everything turned out the way I wanted it to. Of course, at some points it could have been better, and at others, on the contrary, it turned out better than I expected. In general, I rate everything that has happened in my career so far very well, I like everything about it and I like it. That's why I want to keep experiencing these moments.
- Over the past four years, you have become the true soul of the team, did you consult with your teammates about staying in the team?
- Yes, of course. At the end of last season, Mykola Shaparenko came up to me and asked what I was planning, and I told him that nothing had been decided yet, but he immediately made it clear that he would support any decision I made and would be happy. If I had stayed. Alexander Andrievsky said the same thing. Then I called Serhiy Sydorchuk, asked him for his opinion and asked for his advice. Later, Andriy Yarmolenko called me - it was very nice that the guys supported me, wanted us to be together, and were happy that I stayed, of course, it was encouraging, as was the support and trust from the coaching staff. This is also a very important key to achieving a good result.
- I wonder what exactly Andrii Yarmolenko told you? Did he advise you to stay?
- No, it's a difficult choice, and everyone has to make a decision for themselves, because it affects the rest of their lives. If someone imposes something, it will no longer be your choice. Andriy, on the other hand, said he wouldn't advise me on anything, but he expressed his opinion and attitude towards me. We are good friends, and he also said that he would be happy if I stayed in the team. I will not hide it - it was very pleasant for me. Once again, when you feel the support of your teammates, the coaching staff and everyone around you, of course, it encourages you to achieve good results all the time. We will do everything differently in the new season to win only victories.
- What has changed in the team since Yarmolenko's arrival?
- All the young players who are now at Dynamo should understand that Andriy is a simple, kind, honest and open person. Everyone says he is a star. Yes, he is a 'star', perhaps a legend, but he remains a human being. If you need help, he will always help, if you have questions, he will always answer, that is, he will never leave you in trouble. The guys will understand this, I am sure that Andriy's return will be a positive impetus for them, because by his example they will see how to be a professional and a decent person, he will become a motivator for them as to what they need to strive for, what goals to set in order to climb to the top, where players like Andriy Yarmolenko play.
- A few seasons ago, Dynamo was considered a young team, but now the team has enough experienced players, and the youngsters have gained experience. In your opinion, has the current squad become stronger?
- I think so. Last season there was a rebuilding, there were many guys who reached a certain level and left the team. In addition to transfers, there were injured players, young players came in and gained experience over time. And now we have a balance - experienced players who play a lot at a high level, and young people who also have some playing practice and good prospects, so I believe that this balance, together with competition in each position, will give everyone the confidence to get results.
- Mircea Lucescu has already made several motivational speeches to you, what is their main content?
- It's about maximum goals, about the first place - there is nothing else. I remember when he had just arrived, there were young Zabarnyi and Mykolenko in the team, and he told them the same thing, and later everyone saw what kind of players they had grown into and where they were playing now. Now, first of all, Lucescu wants to make it clear to the young players that they have the same chance, if they listen and fulfil the requirements offered by the coaching staff, they too have a great future, they can grow into highly skilled players. So you have to follow the coaching staff's instructions.
