Former Dynamo and Ukraine national team player Vitaliy Kosovskiy shared his impressions of the derby in the capital.
Vitaly Kosovsky- Today, the result was in the foreground, so I did not expect a spectacular game. Before the break, the hosts were more persistent, controlling the ball more often, but they did not take advantage of their chances. Although Dynamo played quite intensely, which gave reason to hope that they would continue to dictate the terms.
As for Shakhtar, it seemed that they were conducting reconnaissance by combat, determining not only the strengths but also the weaknesses of the Kyiv team. And one burst of activity at the start of the second half was enough for the Pitmen to break through and score the winning goal.
- How can you explain the fact that the hosts gave up the initiative after the break?
- It's hard to say. Perhaps they were counting on the effectiveness of their counterattacks by deciding to play second-choice, or maybe they just didn't have enough energy. But the facts are stubborn things: Kyiv cannot add the second half to their assets. I don't think the hosts looked doomed, but I think it's hard to expect a positive result without creativity in the midfield, without a skilful striker who can latch onto the ball and threaten the goal. It is not surprising that Kyiv's midfielder Oleksandr Karavayev twice found himself in a striking position, but his performance let him down. Unfortunately, it has to be said that the process of generational change took Dynamo by surprise. The Shakhtar squad was more balanced and it paid dividends for the visitors.
- Did Shakhtar surprise us with any home-made preparations under their new manager Marino Pushic?
- No, the Donetsk team played in their usual style. The other thing is that Dynamo's game did not make a holistic impression.
- The defeat in the derby prompted Dynamo's head coach Mircea Lucescu to resign. Will this benefit Kyiv?
- I hope so. Something needs to change, otherwise the series of failures will not be broken.
