Oleksiy Shchebetun, a former Dynamo Kyiv player who now plays for Lithuanian side Shauliai, shared his opinion on the new head coach of the Ukrainian youth team, Unai Melgosa, under whom he played for Dynamo U-19.
Alexey Shchebetun- What is Unai Melgosa's coaching approach?
- The training process was aimed at preparing us for the Dynamo first team. I remember that they often stopped the training and explained at every step how to act in a particular situation.
- What are the principles of his football?
- Melgosa demanded an understanding of the game. When there are prerequisites for pressure, you have to press. When there is a free area for a vertical pass, you have to use it.
- Is his workload high?
- Very intense training, all exercises with the ball
- How good is he as a psychologist?
- As far as I know, he has a degree in psychology. Melgosa is an expert in this field, sociable. He also always maintains a dialogue with the players about football moments. He asks them how they see the development of a particular situation on the pitch.
- What are the strongest qualities of this coach?
- He is very good at developing the player's intellectual abilities and teaching football.
- Perhaps you have noticed any disadvantages in his work?
- I think there was enough of everything. We, as young boys, listened to him with our mouths open. Personally, I soaked up everything like a sponge and gave it my all.
- Who among your team has contributed the most under his leadership?
- I can't single out anyone. Everyone has progressed. Under Rebrov, many people were allowed to join Dynamo's first team.
- Perhaps, on the contrary, someone did not like this specialist's approach?
- As far as I know, Nazariy Rusyn did not like working with him. He even said so himself in one of his interviews. Each player has his own point of view, it's normal.
- Did Melgosa have any favourites in the team?
- He communicated with everyone, he didn't notice that.
- What were the peculiarities of working with the Spaniards in terms of organisational or everyday issues?
- I remember that they were very demanding of discipline on the pitch.
- How would you rate his work at Dynamo on a ten-point scale?
- Eight, because there is always room to grow.
- In your opinion, was it a good decision to replace Ruslan Rotan with Melgosa? Will this transition from one coach to another be organic?
- Rotan, like Melgosa, likes to play down low, looking for opportunities to pass between the lines. I think it won't take long for the players to get used to the new coach's requirements. Although, of course, there will be changes.
- Rotan will remain the coach of the Olympic team. Do you think the players' attitude towards him will change when they have a different coaching staff in the youth team?
- I think not. All the guys are professionals, so the authority of Rotan or Melgosa will not be shaken.
- What do you expect from Melhosa's work with the youth team?
- I believe that now even more players from the youth team will move to the main team. A clear vertical will be built, so the players will have no problems with this transition.
I think that the main goal will be to train performers for the national team. Of course, they will try to win tournaments, but this will not be the primary task.
Dmytro Venkov
