Former Dynamo and Chornomorets forward Oleksandr Kosyrin talks about Kyiv's first match against Besiktas (2-3).
Oleksandr Kosyrin (photo: atv.odessa.ua)- What did you see on the pitch in this rivalry?
- I saw the best game of Dynamo Kyiv in recent times, perhaps the best match in 2023. I watched the match as a fan, and it was impossible to tear myself away from this match. And when the score was 2-2, there was such open football that it was breathtaking. Both Kyiv and the Turkish team could have won. But once again Sydorchuk made a mistake, there was a response, and Beşiktaş snatched the victory in stoppage time.
- What do you attribute Dynamo's strong performance to, as not long ago in their matches against Aris, Kyiv looked very pale?
- There is a combination of factors. I think that the team is physically ready and has got into the season through games. In my experience, a lot depends on the opponent. A strong opponent plays and lets the opponent play. And Besiktas, as we can see, is a serious opponent. But our players understand that there is nowhere to retreat - everyone wants to make it to the Conference League group.
- But, despite all the positive aspects, the Ukrainian team's central defenders Popov and Syrota continue to make mistakes. Popov took a penalty, and on the second missed goal he did not finish the play with Collie, who hit the ball into the net after a corner. And in the 78th minute, Sirota simply gave the ball to Fernandes, who jumped out one-on-one with Bushchan. How can you win the most important matches with such defenders?
- We all understand that during the war, strong legionnaires will not come to us. We need to educate our players. Young guys will make mistakes and learn from these mistakes. As Semyon Altman used to say: the one who does nothing makes no mistakes. Yes, you have mentioned the key moments of the game, everyone can see these mistakes and they affect the result. It is clear that Popov and Sirota are nervous. We need to analyse these situations together with the coaching staff.
- But I was pleased with Dynamo's attack. How did Kyiv create many chances at Gunok's goal?
- Due to a meaningful game. Dynamo acted at high speeds, constantly changing attacking flanks. I was pleased with Mykola Shaparenko. He missed almost a year after a serious injury and rehabilitation. Kolya scored a great goal, often giving out great passes.
- In the post-match comments, the Turkish players said that long passes, transfers from flank to flank, caused a lot of problems for Besiktas. Is it true?
- Yes, I would single out Dubinchak and Karavayev here. Dynamo's flanks worked in this match. And Karavayev earned a great goal by scoring in the summer. But VAR intervened. They rewound the film back and found offside on the sideline.
- Did you like Voloshin or Vanat out of the young guys ?
- Yes, I did. Voloshyn scored a goal and was very useful in the midfield. Vanat was constantly tormenting the Besiktas defence, he could have scored in one of the episodes. I am convinced that these guys are the future of Dynamo Kyiv.
- Lucescu made only one substitution until the 89th minute of the match. Sydorchuk made mistakes all the time, because he could have been replaced by Brazhko. In addition, it seemed that Diallo and Benito, who came on as substitutes, did not give the team anything useful.
- Dynamo's captain made too many mistakes. He threw the ball into the centre of the pitch, got cut off, and his team conceded a goal in stoppage time. So far, globally, nothing terrible has happened. If Dynamo Istanbul has a decent goal-scoring performance, they will qualify for the group stage. As for substitutions, it was hard for everyone. With the game tied 2-2, Lucescu did not want to change anything drastically. The match was being played, and it's not easy to come on as a substitute in such a confrontation.
- What is the main conclusion about Dynamo's game?
- Speaking as a spectator, I really liked Dynamo's performance. I didn't want the match to end. Dynamo played well. If our guys always acted like that, I would buy a season ticket for their games.
- What are the team's chances of qualifying for the group?
- They are 50-50. Yes, in Istanbul, Beşiktaş will have the tremendous support of its fans. The main thing is to make the most of your scoring chances. And Dynamo's luck would not hurt. We remember that Dynamo has already beaten Beşiktaş in European competitions, and now we need to do it again.
