Former Dynamo Kyiv goalkeeper Artur Rudko has revealed what he expects from his former club's clash with Turkish side Besiktas in the Conference League play-off qualifying round. Interestingly, it was this goalkeeper who defended Dynamo's goal in the last match against Besiktas (6-0), which took place in the final round of the group stage of the 2016/17 Champions League.
Artur Rudko. Photo by D. Rudenko"It's good to have Andriy Yarmolenko back. The old guard is pulling Dynamo now.
- Arthur, I don't know about you, but I remember Dynamo's last game against Besiktas very well. On 6 December 2016, it was quite damp and frosty, especially in the intimate atmosphere of the virtually empty stands at Olimpiyskiy. If it wasn't for the tea with a small dose of legal doping, you could have turned blue, as they say.
- Yes, it was quite cold. I don't even remember if I was cold then. More likely no than yes. The weather was terrible then, and the mood before the game. We lost all chances of leaving the Champions League group before the match against Besiktas. But, you know, before the match with the Turks, we all wanted to slam the door loudly.
- It turned out that the plaster flew off the door jambs.
- It is what it is (smiles). We were very lucky then that the Turks were quickly left in the minority (Andreas Beck picked up a red card in the 29th minute of the game - ed.) Although Artem Besedin scored at the very beginning, so we were already ahead in the game, and then Andriy Yarmolenko and the guys added more.
Then there was another red card for Besiktas (Vincent Aboubakar, on 56 minutes - ed.), and they sailed away. But, once again, we went into the game with a great desire to win in order to somehow rehabilitate ourselves for the poor performance in the group. We fought for the honour of the club.
- Was this the most memorable match you played in a Dynamo jersey?
- Strangely enough, no. I remember more the first game against Besiktas in Istanbul. I was playing in the base then too. In Istanbul, I conceded a goal from the Portuguese Ricardo Quaresma. However, the score of 6-0 in the Kyiv game, of course, is hard to forget.
- Unfortunately, before the upcoming match with Besiktas, we can't exactly count on 6-0. "Most experts, bookmakers and journalists consider Dynamo to be a clear underdog.
- The Turks, of course, are the favourites of the match. I share this opinion. Dynamo does not have home-field advantage at the moment, at least. All the matches are away in one way or another, we have home matches only formally.
- Okay, the home-field factor is clear. What are the advantages of Beşiktaş in terms of the game?
- Dynamo has no depth in the squad, while the Beşiktaş coach has several stars at his disposal, even if they have been written off from top clubs. I'm talking about the forward Ante Rebic, who used to play for AC Milan, and the Englishman Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, who used to play for Liverpool. Again, the return leg, where everything will be decided, will take place in Istanbul, and I have experienced the fans there, which is wow.
In Ukraine, the level of our Premier League has dropped significantly. It is clear that the war is to blame. Now it is difficult to invite someone to Dynamo who can really strengthen the team.
- But still, Dynamo has had some strengthening, both in winter and summer. Who is the best newcomer?
- It's good to have Andriy Yarmolenko back. He, Serhii Sydorchuk, Vitalii Buyalskyi, Oleksandr Karavayev and Zhora Bushchan, who has been pulling and helping out for the umpteenth time, are the backbone of the team. The old guard is pulling Dynamo now. But now there are virtually no young and untried players in the team. Mykola Shaparenko is no longer young, so to speak. He already has a lot of experience behind him. Of course, there are Maksym Dyachuk, Oleksandr Syrota, Kostiantyn Vivcharenko, who are still young guys - but Syrota has already played in the Champions League, and Vivcharenko scored a goal against Fenerbahce last season.
"The match against Chornomorets is not indicative: "UPL and European Cups are two big differences"
- What can help Dynamo win?
- This team has potential. Dynamo should not be buried before the match. Let's remember the matches against Fenerbahce last season. No one bet on Lucescu's team, but they went through. And, as for me, Fenerbahce is much stronger than Besiktas (second qualifying round of the 2022/23 Champions League - 0: 0, 2: 1 in extra time - ed.)
Plus, last season, Dynamo did not have Yarmolenko. Now Andriy is back in the team. And, I'm sure, he's not yet in optimal shape. He is not yet at his maximum speed.
Dynamo can overcome a difficult opponent. The high individual class of leaders, our "backbone", which I mentioned above, will help. They can fight on equal terms even with the big names that are currently in the Turkish Super League.
- But the game against Chornomorets (2-3) doesn't inspire confidence at all. Have Dynamo players already thought about Besiktas and dreamed so much that they conceded in the last minute of the game?
- I will say this: matches in the Ukrainian Premier League and European Cups are two big differences. Lack of concentration - maybe. But as for the fact that we were already thinking about Besiktas and wanted to beat Chornomorets on one leg, no - I don't think Dynamo could afford that.
I don't know the whole inner workings of the current team, but we still communicate with many players, albeit not very often. All Dynamo players are professionals. Underestimating Chornomorets is out of the question.
"Ihor Surkis knows when he should say goodbye to Lucescu"
- What do your Dynamo friends from Dynamo say about Mircea Lucescu? He was already sent to a well-deserved sports retirement before the return match with Aris, but they won and the rumours died down.
- They don't say anything. Honestly. Igor Surkis knows when he should say goodbye to Lucescu. We will not advise him on what to do and when. He is the president, his word is decisive and final. In general, all these rumours have a negative impact on the microclimate in the team.
However, it is also wrong to blame everything on Lucescu. Dynamo's poor results last season are a complex of problems. There was the war, and the relocations, although this is no excuse, and the departure of legionnaires. A lot of problems.
If there is no result, you need to draw conclusions, and if there are no conclusions, then there are good reasons for this. Surkis is not his own enemy. If Lucescu is still at the helm, then there are reasons for this.
- Arthur Rudko's prediction for the first game?
- A minimal victory for Dynamo. 1-0 or 2-1.
Viktor Glukhenkyi
