József Szabó: "God helped Dynamo to pass Aris"

Former head coach of Dynamo and Ukraine national team Jozsef Sabo commented on the victory of Kyiv team over Greek Aris in the third qualifying round of the Conference League.

- Jozsef Jozsefovich, did Dynamo rightfully overcome the barrier of Greek Aris?

- On the background of unsuccessful performance of Dnipro-1 and Vorskla in the European Cup, I wanted Dynamo to pass Aris, and I was rooting for Kyiv. When the penalty shootout started, of course, there were great nerves. We should give credit to Dynamo for the will to win. After all, after Aris opened the score in the match, the Greeks already had a two goal advantage, so the psychological pressure on Kyiv team was decent. Nevertheless, the guys rallied and levelled the game, having equalised the score. After the second Dynamo goal it was noticeable that both teams put the main stake on defence and wanted to reach the penalty shootout, though it might not be. Both teams had chances.

I believe that God helped Dinamo to pass Aris, because in the first game in Greece the referee awarded a "left" penalty to Dinamo, so now in the return game justice has prevailed. I had confidence that Dynamo should go further, because the score of the first match allowed to be optimistic about the second match.

- "Dinamo" now plays home matches in European cups in Romania. Did the factor of Mircea Lucescu's home walls work?

- It turned out to be a good decision. It was evident that the stands supported Dynamo. Although, of course, Dinamo's performance cannot be called of high level, especially against such a team as Aris. But the most important thing is that they went further, won.

- The next opponent of Dynamo in European cups is Turkish Besiktas. What is waiting for Kyiv team?

- Alas, we need to be objective and honest. If with Aris we had the right to hope for the overall success, then in the confrontation with Besiktas Dynamo will have little chance. I think the Turkish team will go further. Dynamo have no problems on the domestic arena, but in European matches they lack skill and experience. I don`t want to criticise anyone, but now Dynamo has a weak team, young and inexperienced. Many advances are given to Vanatu. But so far he does not justify the given advances. The problems in the game of the centre-backs are noticeable.

- The role of Andriy Yarmolenko. Has he brought experience to Mircea Lucescu's team?

- I know Andriy's whole career. He came to Dynamo when I worked at the club. As for his return, so far he has not lived up to expectations. I don`t know what it has to do with. Perhaps, he hasn`t got his form yet. Lucescu changes him, so there are problems. When it is hard for him, he does not pull. There are mistakes on the pitch, weak play in selection. But I think that Mircea Lucescu sees all this too, but he counts on him. Perhaps, Andriy will gain form and will be useful for Dynamo during the season.

- There is a topic actively discussed in the press that if Dynamo fail to pass Besiktas, Mircea Lucescu will give up the post of the head coach of Kyiv to Oleksandr Shovkovskiy.

- This is stupid. But I am not against Shovkovskiy. In my opinion, Oleksandr still lacks coaching experience for such a position. And I do not take such rumours seriously. I think that Lucescu will fulfil his agreement until the end. Only health problems can make adjustments in this matter. And Oleksandr himself, when Lucescu was on sick leave, said that he still needs to gain experience working alongside venerable coaches. Although I think Oleksandr is a smart guy. When I coached Dynamo, it was noticeable that he has potential for coaching. But let it be as it is for now and he will get his chance in the future. I think that Ukrainian football does not need foreign coaches, such as Lalatovic. Our guys, young coaches are no less talented.

- Who of Dynamo players, in your opinion, is able to prove himself in the near future to go to a foreign club?

- I will not lie, there are no promising guys of such level as Shevchenko and Rebrov in the current Dynamo. There is no one to single out so far. There are players who have already reached their ceiling and are not progressing. The only one I will single out is Volodymyr Brazhko. I think this player is progressing and growing in skill. European clubs are after him. And he will be bought in the end. But I agree with the president of Dynamo Igor Surkis, who does not want to sell players at a low price. Because it is possible to sell for pennies, but then what to do?