Director of Dynamo Kyiv Academy, Honoured Coach of Ukraine Oleksandr Ishchenko told about the tournament in Italy, prospects of the "stars" of Dynamo first team - Vanata, Brazhko, Tsarenko, new Shevchenko and many other things.
Alexander IshchenkoTaming Ajax
- At the end of September we returned from Italy, where Dynamo U-10 took part in the representative tournament, - Oleksandr Alekseyevich takes the floor. - The tournament lasted for a week, during this time we played seven matches.
- It is a common opinion that the result in children's football is of secondary importance, but I still wonder how we performed?
- Dynamo won all the matches in the subgroup and from the first place went to the semifinal tournament, where our opponents were Torino and Ajax. We beat the Netherlands, who were considered the main favourites, but then lost to the Italians. For a long time we led 1:0, but in the end we allowed Torino to realise the standards....
The game between Torino and Ajax was the final game in our group, the Amsterdammers won with the required goal difference and at the expense of additional indicators ended up in the final. "Dynamo" though did not get into the prizes, but it was our guys who won the prize of "spectator sympathy". The corridor of honour was organised by representatives of Ajax and Juventus, I must admit, it was touching.
- Why do you think the Ukrainian team got the sympathy?
- I think that we not only added charm, looked interesting in terms of play, but also added intrigue. "Dynamo became the only team that managed to defeat Ajax. We also fought Juventus - until the last minutes they led 4:3, but two standards tipped the scales in the opponent's favour.
- Any individual achievements?
- Vanya Vernidub, the grandson of Kryvbas head coach Yuriy Vernidub, became our top scorer. He is a young forward of ram type. The organisers also noted the game of Maksym Proletarskiy, who stood out with his individual actions and became one of the most technical players of the tournament.
These are two of our leading players and it's nice that the guys are progressing, we can see the work of the coaches.
- What do such international competitions give?
- They help us to see an objective picture of our strengths, to determine the level of preparation of players, qualifications, as well as deficiencies that should be eliminated.
It is important to be able to compete with representatives of different football schools, which makes our arsenal richer.
- What should be worked on?
- Standard positions are a cause for concern. By the way, the Dynamo first team is facing similar problems now. We have made certain adjustments long ago - it is the so-called play on the ball, not on the player.
This tournament once again confirmed how important it is.
- Is anthropometry in children's teams decisive for standards?
- It is still important to play on the ball. In our custody they often try to grab their player, no matter by the arm, neck or shirt, the main thing is not to let him play. It is important to develop the ability to play with the head, to control the ball, to anticipate the development of the situation. Then it is transferred to teams of all levels.
Look at the defensive organisation of Real Madrid, Manchester City, Barcelona or Bayern. The defence plays on the ball, with a maximum of two players who can play personally, while the rest of the players are in zones, fighting and playing with their heads. These qualities need to be developed just from the age of 10 to be competitive.
Following the precepts of Valeriy Lobanovskiy
- What novelties and trends do you notice?
- The fundamental thing is selection. In the Juventus and Ajax squads we can notice a large number of dark-skinned guys, who are faster, more agile and more powerful than our guys at the genetic level.
Also important is the intensity of the game, the technique of ball possession and the quality of passes. We are constantly working on this, but it is in the confrontation with high-level teams that you can see what works and what does not.
- Nowadays it is fashionable to talk about Italian, Spanish or German vector of football. What style is closer to the modern school of Dynamo?
- We follow all the changes and new challenges, but at the same time we honour the traditions that have always distinguished Dynamo. First of all, it is the fastest way out of defence into attack, the ability to pass the first pass, quality technical base.
We pay a lot of attention to the elements of pressing. By the way, it helped to beat Ajax. When we started to meet the Dutch high, it was a surprise for them, the opponent got confused, started to make mistakes in their half of the field, we intercepted the ball and scored twice.
We also focus on interaction and creating a numerical advantage on the flanks, which allows us to open up the opponents' defence.
We work on the quality of passes (short, medium, long) and emphasise that the pass should carry information to the partner.
- What are your next plans?
- International tournaments allow us to be in dialogue with representatives of other teams. We have already been called again to Italy for the "Talent Super Cup". But there are certain nuances related to the war...
Now there are many international children's tournaments all over Europe, and it is not by chance. UEFA believes that such competitions contribute to better training of football players, and they also allow them to make additional advertising for their country.
The Brazhko phenomenon
- Now there is a lot of talk about the progress of Volodymyr Brazhko, who showed himself well in Zorya, and now he became a core player of Dynamo and managed to score three goals. Did he also stand out in children's football?
- In his time Volodya was a player who was not afraid, and most importantly could organise the game in the middle of the pitch. What else favourably distinguished him was the fastest development of attacks, the desire to play forward. Even then he had excellent physical qualities, which together allowed him to talk about the prospect of getting into the first team of Dynamo.
But Brazhko's potential is far from being realised. The class of a football player is determined by the stability of the game, and there is a lot of work to be done in this regard.
- Brazhko is now the captain of the youth national team of Ukraine. In your opinion, such recognition is a consequence of game or human qualities?
- It is a consequence of the union of human qualities and playing skills. Brazhko is one of those guys, who during the fight will not take away his foot or head, and is always ready to back up his mate. He has all the traits of a leader, he is able to lead his partners. But, I repeat, it is important to confirm his potential in every game.
Dynamo's Kane
- Last season, Anton Tsarenko's star rose to the Dynamo football sky, but in this championship we see him mostly on the bench. Why?
- Transition from children's football to adult football is a very delicate and responsible moment. In the children's academy parents and coaches went to watch Tsar (nickname Tsarenko), who literally alone could win tournaments for the team.
But when the guys grew up, grew muscles, when many of them grew over 180 centimetres, when anthropometry became apparent, it became more difficult for Anton to demonstrate his qualities.
And even though now he is not able to establish himself and become a main squad player, I think that the technical and intellectual potential of the guy gives optimism to hope that he will soon be in demand in big football.
- What do you say about Navin Malysh, who just made his debut in Dynamo and is a discovery for many fans?
- The Kid is a versatile footballer. He started as an attacking player, and then he started to play in the centre of the pitch. Now he plays on the position of the right defender and his style meets modern requirements, he can not only defend, but also attack. Such players are in demand in the leading clubs in Europe.
Now he has a lot of competition on the right flank in the face of Tymchyk and Karavaev. I wish the guy to endure, to wait for his chance, to take advantage of it and gain a foothold.
- A lot of advances are given to Vladislav Vanatu, who is prophesied to be the best scorer of the championship. Can he reach the heights, for example, of Sergei Rebrov?
- Vanat is a versatile player, combinative. In the manner of play he reminds me of Kane, who is now defending the colours of Bayern. He can complete the attack himself, and bring his partner to the striking position. Somewhere he lacks stability, but he definitely has everything to become a top scorer. Work with the ball, technical readiness, cunning, aggression, shot.... Vanat has already raised the bar high, but it's important for the forward to score goals, which is what I wish him.
Who will replace Mikolenko and Zabarniy?
- Two other Dynamo pupils - Mikolenko and Zabarny - are now conquering the APL, and what are they remembered for in children's football?
- Both of them had good physical data, acted unyielding, confidently fought up top or one-on-one. They also have a high percentage of won one-on-one battles in England - the strongest championship. So there are no miracles, this is the result of many years of training and a responsible approach to them.
- After their departure Dynamo started to have problems in defence....
- When players of the national team level leave the club, it rarely goes without a trace. But at the same time, I think, there is already a worthy replacement in the face of other pupils of the club. On the left flank - Dubinchak and Vivcharenko, in the centre - Popov, Sirota....
Why do we concede a lot? In my opinion, sometimes we lack experience, such unpleasant moments as injuries also affect. Take the same Popov, he is just gaining momentum, feels the game rhythm, as follows a pause. And without a proper game tone there is uncertainty.
- Are the injuries caused by Popov's style of play?
- He is a fighter to the bone, but don`t forget that he suffered a very unpleasant cruciate ligament injury. Given the way Denis plays, uncompromising and on the verge of fouls, unfortunately, yes, relapses happen.
50 per cent of Luxembourg and England
- The Ukrainian youth national football team will face Luxembourg and England in the crucial matches of the qualification for Euro-2025. "Dynamo is represented by four players (Nesheret, Vivcharenko, Brazhko, Voloshyn) in the youth team - this is the biggest club "troop". What do you expect from these matches?
- Until the game has started, the chances are always 50/50. Even with Luxembourg, or with England. I will not hide, I always follow the performance of our pupils with great interest, especially when they defend the honour of the country in the international arena. I wish both the youth and the first team success, to show themselves worthily and achieve results. Fans need positive emotions now.
- They say that players of Andriy Shevchenko's level are born once in a hundred years....
- Any coach wants to have more bright footballers, but I stick to the principle that you should not dwell and wait for the birth of a new Shevchenko or Blokhin. It is important to work hard every day both in terms of training and selection. And then we are guaranteed to have a worthy replacement, for which we will not be ashamed.
Sergiy Sytnik
