Dynamo Kyiv midfielder Oleksandr Karavayev commented on the match against Shakhtar Donetsk (0-1) in the 13th round of the Ukrainian championship and also spoke about his team's reaction to Mircea Lucescu's resignation.
Alexander Karavayev. Photo by Yuriy Yuriev- It is a shame that Lucescu resigned in such circumstances, when we lost. He really wanted to finish this championship, to win it, he had big goals and plans, but it didn't work out. I repeat, it's a shame, because before that we had good times, we played in the Champions League and became champions, and won the Cup and the Super Cup. In addition, a lot of young people moved on to play in other championships, which benefited both the club and the players. Now we also have a lot of young people in the pipeline to bring these guys up in the future.
- Did you find out about Lucescu's resignation after the game, or did he warn you before the match that he would leave in case of defeat?
- After the match. When we went into the dressing room, he told us about it. Tomorrow we will have a team meeting, then a training session. When we get together as a team, we will be told everything about the new coach.
- Did you prepare for the game against Shakhtar in any special way?
- No, just like a normal game. When Dynamo plays Shakhtar, there is no need to be particularly prepared, because everyone understands what kind of match it is. We did a lot of things in the first half and in the second half, but we conceded an unfortunate goal. We had a lot of chances, but we were let down by the finishing. Once we missed one chance, we scored - it's very disappointing.
- What exactly happened at that moment?
- We seemed to be doing everything compactly in defence, just as we practised in the first half, but somehow a split pass went through, Alexander Zubkov ran in and finished that episode, and it went between his legs. Once again, such circumstances and situations are very unfortunate.
- After two defeats, there was a draw with Kolos, and it seemed that everything was getting better. Did something go wrong?
- Every time we analyse the games, we seem to do everything right: we play and create chances, but the realisation is a letdown. And in defence, we make a mistake and concede goals. This, of course, undermines morale, but there is nothing else to do but to keep working and draw conclusions. There are still many matches to come, and we need to avoid repeating mistakes and improve our performance.
- What are Dynamo's prospects in the standings after this defeat?
- We understand everything, all the players are professionals, so they know what to do. Now we will prepare for the next game to rehabilitate and break the dark streak of winless matches. We have everything we need to do this, we need to prepare for the next matches.
- It was the first time Volodymyr Brazhko took to the pitch with the captain's armband, how did the team react to this event, did they congratulate him?
- Yes, it happened before the warm-up, everyone was already in the mood, so of course all the guys supported him - it's a positive moment for Braga, this event will be an even bigger incentive for him, because he received the captain's armband at such a young age and in such an important match.
- How did he cope?
- He coped well with everything, so well done.
