Dynamo U-19 head coach Ihor Kostiuk commented on his team's home game against Shakhtar Donetsk and the 2-0 victory.
Ihor Kostiuk (photo: fcdynamo.com)- After an uncertain defensive performance that led to an unexpected defeat in the last match, did the team draw conclusions and play flawlessly today?
- The game plan we chose worked, we made a quick transition from defence to attack. We scored our goals and had many more chances to score. As for the defensive play at our goal, I don't think the opponent had many chances. There were no absolute ones.
- Dynamo attacked actively in the first half. Was the goal at the beginning of the second half a reward for your efforts?
- Yes, as I said, our game plan worked. We needed tightness between the lines. Today, our team was good at taking the ball away and made good use of the space behind Shakhtar's players. Individually, we played well today.
- You made your first substitution in the 81st minute. Does this mean that you were completely satisfied with the performance of your players?
- Yes, they fulfilled our requirements. We replaced Kotukha, because he was already having cramps, and brought on Dykyi instead. Otherwise, all the players played to the end, ran into the attack at the end, so they still had strength. Pashko had a moment, Ponomarenko... Everyone kept up the rhythm and dynamics of the game and won.
- Salenko made a goal-scoring pass today. Is he progressing with each game?
- It's too early to say, but the work at training and the more game practice he gets is doing him good. He already has his second assist. We are waiting for him to score.
- This season, four teams are fighting for first place at once. Does this mean that the level of the U-19 championship has increased?
- Yes, it does. We can see that today Shakhtar had five players born in 2004 and one more came on as a substitute. And we have the 2006 class, which is a two-year difference. SC Dnipro-1 and Rukh do the same. We follow the path of developing our players, their individuality, so that they can have game practice and progress at their age.
- Were you satisfied with the way Kotukha replaced Dykyi on the defensive flank?
- Yes, today Vanya played reliably. Perhaps he was less creative in attack, but in defence he acted reliably and closed the position. Dykyi has played a lot of matches, played for the national team, so maybe he has slipped somewhere psychologically and physically. So we gave Kotusa a chance to play today, and he did what we had agreed.
- Will the return of Gerich increase competition in the attack?
- Of course it will. Geric can play as a second striker and on the wing. We will give him more playing time so that he recovers his condition. We are also waiting for Kalyn, Matkevych, Bilyi to strengthen our team.
- Shakhtar had a sending off at the end of the game, there were a lot of emotions and clashes on the pitch. Do you have a special attitude for the match with this opponent?
- I've just told the guys that we have to come out with this attitude for every match. Regardless of whether it is Shakhtar, Barcelona, Kryvbas or Kolos. With this attitude, there will be progress and victories.
