Today marks the start of the 33rd edition of the Ukrainian Premier League since our country's independence. Former Shakhtar striker and renowned football expert Viktor Grachev shared his expectations for the new season.
Viktor Grachev- Viktor Oleksandrovych, the second wartime championship is starting in Ukraine. What do you expect from the domestic competition this time?
- First of all, I expect the Ukrainian army to win at the front. It was only thanks to the Armed Forces that our teams were able to hold the last championship.
I believe that the upcoming championship will go off without a hitch. As for football expectations, we can't expect any big changes while the full-scale war is ongoing.
- Is Shakhtar the favourite in the championship?
- I think so. "The Miners have practically retained their squad, strengthened by young Brazilians. I believe that with the new head coach, the Donetsk team's performance will not get worse, as Patrick van Leeuwen once worked in Shakhtar's structure and knows what to strive for and what kind of football to show.
Last season, this specialist turned Zorya into one of the contenders for the Champions League out of almost nothing. Van Leeuwen has gained experience in Ukrainian football. I will assume that the changes on the Pitmen's coaching staff will be fully justified.
Shakhtar's main rival last season, Dnipro-1, did not impress me with their performance in the Champions League qualifiers against Panathinaikos. Either the Greeks were so strong or the Dnipro team was too weak... Of course, it's hard to draw a conclusion from one match, although I saw the real Dnipro-1 only in the first 15 minutes of the second half.
- Will Dynamo be able to join the fight for the championship?
- I have long said that many of Dynamo's players have reached the ceiling, and we should not expect more from them. Even if Ferguson or Capello take over, it won't help. The team needs serious changes, including on the coaching staff. But now, given the current realities, it is almost impossible to do so. Therefore, I do not expect any global changes for the better from Dynamo.
- Who, in your opinion, will be among the teams that will be at the top of the standings?
- Once again, we cannot avoid the war - in such circumstances, it is difficult for clubs to make any significant acquisitions, everything goes in circles.
Therefore, it will be possible to talk about who will be among the favourites in the fight for medals or European Cup places in about eight to ten rounds after the start of the championship. It will probably be the same teams as last season.
- Can the newcomers Polissia, Obolon and LNZ surprise you?
- Even in the current conditions, the difference between the First and the Premier League is very big. So I don't believe that any of these teams will be able to jump over their heads in the new season.
Any team can adjust to one match, but it is difficult to do so over a long journey, especially if you lack experience. The primary task of the newcomers is to take points from those rivals who will be in the second half of the standings in order to book a place in the elite division.
Yaroslav Piatnytskyi
