Today, on 10 August, Dynamo Kyiv will make their debut in the Conference League. Mircea Lucescu's wards will play in the qualification round with Aris in Greece. Taras Mykhalik, a former player of the Ukrainian national team and Dynamo Kyiv, assessed the chances of Kyiv in the confrontation in Thessaloniki.
Taras Mihalik- In my long career, I had to repeatedly clarify relations with Greek players, both at the national team and club level, - says Taras Mihalik. - It has always been difficult with them, because they are the ones who, above all, do not let you play, demonstrating a viscous style. It is very difficult to score against the Greeks, by the way, even after conceding they continue to act in the second number, counting on won combats at standards and luck.
- Are you implying that we shouldn't expect a scoring attack in Thessaloniki?
- Yes. I think that Dynamo will win with a minimum score - 1:0, and Yarmolenko will have the final say.
- Dynamo players approached the confrontation with Aris as the UPL leaders, which domestic fans have already started to get used to.
- I would hesitate with the dithyrambs to the Kyivians for now. And not only because their opponents at the start were not from the titled ones. Unfortunately, I did not like the way Dynamo defended, especially in the game with Obolon. Not surprisingly, they got a kick in the nuts from manager Lucescu. In the European Cup, such antics in front of their own possession can be seriously punished.
- But on the other hand, Dynamo shipped as many as eight goals to Minaya and Obolon, which hasn't happened to them at the start of the season for a long time.
- This explosion in performance can be explained by the return to the midfield after Shaparenko's injury, with his ability to make unconventional decisions, the activity on the wing of Yarmolenko, who scored his 100th goal in the UPL in the game with the Brewers, and the scoring ability of young Vanat. The fact that he corrected his aim cannot but please, because Dynamo lacked a scoring striker in recent years.
- What would you advise Dynamo players before the match in Thessaloniki?
- Frankly speaking, I am most concerned about their defensive play. It feels like they lack an experienced master who would keep order, so I would wish them to be as concentrated as possible in front of their possession, especially since Aris is not the kind of team that spends a lot of time on the offensive. Still, I believe that Buschan will keep the goal untouched today, and Dinamo will not let the attack go to waste.
