In the first play-off match of the Conference League qualification round, Dynamo Kyiv lost to Turkish Besiktas 2:3 in Bucharest. Former Ukrainian national team and Dynamo player Taras Mykhalik told what prevented the Kyiv side from achieving a positive result in the Romanian capital.
Taras Mihalik- As they say, Dynamo stepped on the same rake. I mean the helplessness of stopper Sirota and Popov, which influenced the final result.
- How can you explain the fact that Mircea Lucescu's chief has not managed to eliminate the gaps in the centre of defence?
- First of all, the young age of the defenders, while Popov is still literally haunted by injuries, preventing his progression. What would you advise Lucescu? To take care of inviting an experienced centre-back, who would quickly restore order in possession. We must be realistic: the skill of goalkeeper Buschan, who saved Kyiv from trouble in the recent match with Greek Aris, is obviously not enough.
- Then can you name a stopper, who would strengthen Dynamo?
- Yevhen Khacheridi(smiling). But seriously, Kyiv need to eliminate the vulnerabilities in defence in a short time. Otherwise, we can forget about any stable successes.
- Do you think that the result of yesterday's match in Bucharest is a result of the game?
- I think that Kyivians deserved, at least, not to lose. Still, yesterday they skilfully ran into the attack, there was intensity, enough chances. However, everything was negated by an unreliable backline.
- They say that in case of failure to qualify for the group stage of the Conference League, Mircea Lucescu will be pointed at the door. In your opinion, do Dynamo still have a chance to save the Romanian specialist from retirement?
- The score of the game in Bucharest is not critical. One goal scored in Istanbul in a week can change everything dramatically. Therefore, everything is not lost for Kyiv. We just need to take advantage of the fact that the renewed Besiktas still lacks chemistry and impress with reliability in defence.
