Valeriy Kryventsov: "Dynamo" played as the opponent allowed"

Valeriy Kryventsov, a former player of the Ukraine national team and now a coach, shared his impressions of the first match of the 3rd qualifying round of the Conference League between local Aris and Dynamo Kyiv (1:0) held yesterday in Thessaloniki.

- Could Dynamo have brought a better result from Greece?

- In any case, Dynamo players fought, tried to achieve success. I would like to note that this is a different Dynamo, if we compare it with the last season. Yarmolenko came, Shaparenko came back, and the game of the Bilo-Syni has changed for the better. I don't even doubt that Aris will have a hard time in the return match. However, it should be recognised that Aris won on its field in terms of chances created. Dinamo also had chances, but the Greek team had more, at least three 100% chances.

- Did Dynamo play too cautiously in the duel with such an opponent as Aris?

- What do you mean cautious? We played as the opponent allowed. Look at the game of all opponents of Ukrainian clubs in this European Cup season. All teams show very organised football - both Greek Panathinaikos and Aris, and Georgian Dila. Now all the clubs at the European Cup level know how to play, and it becomes clear that without quality internationals it will be very difficult for Ukrainian teams to achieve something significant on the Euro arena.

- Is it not too late Mircea Lucescu made substitutions, because for 10-12 minutes it is not easy for players to get into the game?

- Substitutions are always a delicate moment... Tell me, what should a coach do when all the players, who are in the starting line-up, act coherently and there is a risk, if you remove someone from the game, to disrupt this mechanism. Yes, Brazhko came out well and managed to strengthen Dynamo's game, but there was no sense to change the same Kabaev, who gave speed, earlier.

- What can you say about Yarmolenko's game?

- Andriy did a good job - he created in front and played qualitatively in defence. However, I would like to note that Aris played very competently in defence, tough and aggressive. How could it be otherwise? Everyone at this level acts aggressively and is not going to give the opponent time and free space.

- What can be expected from Dynamo in the return match with Aris?

- I really hope that Kyiv team will pass this opponent. However, I think that Dynamo need to score at least two, or even better three goals, because the Bilo-Syni can concede one goal. It should be remembered.

Oleg Semenchenko