Dynamo U-19 head coach Ihor Kostiuk shared his impressions of the opening match of the new youth championship season against Minaj, in which his team won 3-0 at home.
Ihor Kostiuk (photo: fcdynamo.com)- First of all, I would like to thank our Armed Forces for giving us the opportunity to play in such a difficult time - many thanks to them. As for the game, many players born in 2006 joined us. The team is still in the process of forming, but in general, I like that the players who have joined support the idea we want to implement on the football field and maintain the necessary dynamics. Of course, we still have a lot to work on, but in general, the aggression on the pitch and the things we are working on worked today, and we achieved victory.
- Tell us more about the players of 2006. Have they already fully joined the team, do they understand your requirements well?
- As I said, there are some things that need to be worked on, but in general the players understand the requirements and the structure we offer them in the game. The main point is to teach them how to treat training professionally, how to behave in everyday life and how to recover and prepare for training properly. This discipline will allow them to show the focus needed to play on the field and fulfil all the requirements. In general, everything is going according to schedule. We have our first victory, it's good that we won this match. In general, we outplayed the opponent and did not allow them to create chances at our goal.
- What was the reason for replacing Kuzik with Ponomarenko?
- We lacked a little aggression when we pressed with two strikers. Kuzik was a little slow, and Ponomarenko came on and was more mobile in this position. This two-forward game worked, we scored the second goal, and we had more aggression in the press.
- Are the goals you scored the result of good work during the training camp? Are you satisfied with how the preparations for the season went?
- The preparations went well. We have fulfilled what we planned. But I am concerned that the players have cramps. We will continue to work on endurance, including speed endurance. The season is just beginning, we have a group of players for rotation, the guys understand that no one is guaranteed a place in the starting line-up. There is good competition, equivalent players who can strengthen the game, as it was last season.
- Kuzik has replaced Bilyi, whom you actively played in the control matches. Will David be out for long?
- The diagnostics are underway, the doctors will determine the timeframe for his recovery, so far there is no specific information.
- What is the condition of the other injured players? How soon will they return?
- Everyone is recovering as usual. Some have two weeks left, others a month.
