Pavlo Orikhovskyi, a former Dynamo midfielder and now the leader of Kolos, spoke about his football career.
Pavlo Orikhovsky. Photo: M. Kozelko"I don't understand why Dynamo didn't keep Burda"
- Pavlo, Kolos is currently close to the European Cup zone in the UPL standings. Did the club's management set any specific task for the team for the season?
- Of course, our first priority is to qualify for the European competitions. This season, we have had a lot of draws, which show that we do not want to lose to anyone. There is a desire to win more matches, but it doesn't always work out.
- Kolos has a large number of creative attacking players in its squad, but does not demonstrate effective play. What do you attribute this to?
- We have a good attack. It's just that we don't make the most of our chances, sometimes the opponent can play uncomfortable football for us, sometimes we make the wrong decisions. It's a combination of factors. We see this and want to improve. There will be a training camp where we should pay attention to this component of the game.
- Your team has a lot of former Dynamo players, which is currently suffering from a staff shortage in some positions. Do you think it was too early for Kyiv to say goodbye to Mykyta Burda?
- I have always considered and continue to consider Mykyta a very strong defender. Yes, he has been plagued by constant injuries in recent years. However, he has many qualities. He reads the game well, starts attacks, has a good first touch and pass, and is skilful in the air and in defence. I can go on and on. I do not understand why he was not kept at Dynamo. Maybe there were some pitfalls, maybe there was a misunderstanding with the coaching staff.
- Would Burda be useful to today's Dynamo?
- Of course he would. He would help the team. Burda is a high-level defender.
- In the autumn, Dynamo's long-time captain and team leader Serhii Sydorchuk, who, like you, is a central midfielder, left the club. Have you thought about a theoretical return to the white and blues?
- I have a valid contract with Kolos. Here I have good relations with the entire team, coaching staff and management. I am happy with everything, I am happy.
If I had a concrete offer from Dynamo, I could think about it. But there is none, so there is nothing to talk about.
"My first scholarship at Dynamo was 86 or 87 hryvnias"
- Now I propose to talk about the beginning of your career. Where and how did you take your first steps in football?
- At first I played in the yard, I just wanted to be with the ball. Then, at the age of nine or ten, I started going to training at Spartak school in Zhytomyr. We gathered at the stadium there. I can't say that any of my qualities were laid down there. It was more like childish fun. Although we went to various children's tournaments, such as the Leather Ball and the like.
- On a more serious level, you started playing in the BRW-BIK team from the city of Volodymyr, Volyn region.
- Yes, at the age of 13 I moved to Vladimir, where I played at the DUFL level.
Prior to that, I was noticed by Shakhtar's selectors and invited to a viewing. I didn't make it to the team, but the Shakhtar representatives kept in touch with Viktor Muntyan, who coached BRW-BIK. They offered him to watch me, and that's how I got to him.
I am very grateful to Muntean, he is a great coach. He gave me such guidance at that age that was understandable and pushed me to move forward.
- In 2010, you joined Dynamo. How did it go?
- BRW-BIK and I performed well in the DUFLU and reached the final round, after which the selectors invited me to Dynamo and Vasyl Stander to Shakhtar.
My parents and I came to Kyiv, watched everything, and of course we liked it. It was a completely different level in all aspects. I stayed at Dynamo.
- What was your first scholarship at the Dynamo Academy and what did you spend it on?
- If I'm not mistaken, the first scholarship was 86 or 87 hryvnias. I spent it on some goodies. I was 14 or 15 years old at the time.
- Dynamo's academy has traditionally been home to some of the most promising young players in Ukraine. Who was the biggest talent alongside you who didn't develop?
- Probably Sasha Kukankov. I don't know if he is playing now. He was very talented and promising. He scored a lot of goals in every match. At that time, he had incredible anthropometry and technique. Sometimes he dealt with unrealistically difficult situations. If you didn't know what to do with the ball, you could pass to Kukankov, and he would solve the situation.
- Perhaps someone, on the contrary, has pleasantly surprised you with their progress over the years?
- I am very happy for Denys Norenkov, who plays in LNZ. We shared a room for a long time. It seems that the transition from youth football to adult football was more difficult for him. I remember when he was dropped from Dynamo U-19, and then he played in the second league. However, over time, Norenkov managed to become a good footballer. He played for Chornomorets, and today he plays at the UPL level. I think he's a great guy. He didn't give up and, thanks to his desire, reached the highest level by Ukrainian standards. He is a good guy.
- Who was the fastest player in the Dynamo Academy at your age?
- There was Yevhen Shevchenko. We were the same age, but back then it seemed he was 40 centimetres taller than everyone else. His one step was like my three. You could say he was running us backwards.
"Xheridi came to the bus 30 seconds before leaving for the Champions League match against Benfica"
- In 2015, you joined Dynamo's double team, from where you gradually started to get involved in first-team training and matches. Who in that star-studded team impressed you the most with their performance?
- There were a lot of foreign legionnaires in the team at that time: Demercy Mbokani, Jermain Lens, Miguel Veloso, Domagoj Vida. Among the Ukrainians, Andriy Yarmolenko, Yevhen Khacheridi, Yevhen Makarenko, Serhii Rybalka stood out.
- Who was number one for you personally?
- Probably Yarmolenko. He was a leader that many people wanted to be like. Moreover, Yarmolenko, unlike the legionnaires who were brought in on big contracts, really came a long way at Dynamo and earned his own status through his work.
- Who impressed you more with his human qualities?
- I communicated well with Junior Moraes and Vidya, who understood a little bit of Ukrainian. They always helped me as a young footballer and treated me with warmth. Very good people and great professionals.
- Who could give you the biggest kick in the pants?
- Probably Vicente Gomez. He was very demanding. He could give me both shit and praise. He is an incredible coach. And he's a good person. He is strong in analytics, understanding of the game, and the ability to set up the team. This man gave me a lot.
- How was the discipline in the team? Could anyone be late?
- Personally, I was never late. I don't remember this for the others either. The only thing is that Khacheridi liked to come right before leaving or before the start of theory, but he always did it on time. Once we were in Lisbon and had to leave the hotel for a 0-1 game against Benfica in the Champions League. So Xheridi came to the bus only 30 seconds before we left for the stadium.
- How did you get on with the then head coach of Dynamo Serhii Rebrov?
- We had a normal working relationship. I can't say that we talked much, but before the games, Rebrov would call me to him and calm me down because I was so excited. When I came out to play for the first team alongside players like Yarmolenko and Shovkovskyi, my heart was jumping out of my chest.
I have a positive attitude towards Rebrov. He is a great coach. He won everything in Ukraine and built Dynamo, which was stronger than the very powerful Shakhtar at the time.
- Rebrov's assistant was a Spanish specialist, Raul Riancho, who always behaved quite boldly in the technical area. There were rumours that he sat the head coach down in front of the players and management. Is it true?
- No, it's not. I think everyone has always known and understood that Rebrov is number one at the club. It was not even discussed. Raul helped and contributed a lot, but that's all.
- You played seven matches for Dynamo's first team. Why do you think you didn't manage to play more?
- At that time, there was a lot of competition in the team. It was hard to break through. Maybe I needed to work harder. I am grateful for my time at Dynamo, it was a great period in my career.
"I think Khatskevich could have at least given me a chance"
- After Rebrov was replaced by Oleksandr Hatskevich at the helm of Dynamo in the summer of 2017, you started to go on loan. Did the new coach not see you in the team?
- During the summer holidays, it became known that Rebrov and Vicente were leaving the club, and there would be a new coaching staff headed by Khatskevich. I was not on the list of players who would go to the training camp. That's how everything ended for me at Dynamo. There is nothing to say.
Me, Oleksandr Tymchyk, Bohdan Mykhailychenko, Maksym Kazakov, Oleksiy Shchebetun and some other guys who were with the first team went to train with the second team and at the same time we were looking for loan options.
- Do you regret this situation?
- I believe that we should have been given a chance and at least taken to the training camp so that the coaching staff could see us. It's a pity that it happened. We didn't even have the opportunity to show ourselves.
However, I respect the decision that was made. Now it's all over. We need to turn the page.
- Your first loan was to Chornomorets, where you spent a season. How do you assess this period for yourself?
- It was actually my first adult team. I gained some experience that I can put to my credit.
- What did the team lack to stay in the UPL?
- There were many different problems. Changes in the team and management had a negative impact. Although we were paid on time.
- What was the main problem?
- I don't want to go into it too much.
- Despite everything, Chornomorets fought for survival that season to the last and were relegated only after the head-to-head matches with FC Poltava (1-0, 0-3). Was this team really stronger?
- This is football. We beat them in the first game. In the second match, the opponent completely outplayed us, there is nothing to hide. They were better and scored beautiful goals.
"At Arsenal, I received two or three salaries in a year"
- Your next club was Arsenal Kyiv. How did you get there?
- After returning from my loan spell at Chornomorets, I came back to Kyiv and talked to Rezo Chokhonelidze about what to do. I had a desire to terminate my contract with Dynamo, but the club would not let me go.
I went to Slovakia for a few days to watch Spartak Trnava. That team was the reigning champion, but the level of players there was much lower than at Chornomorets, which had been relegated from the UPL. The club had a good base and stadium, but because of the weak squad, I decided not to stay there.
Then Dynamo suggested me the option of Arsenal. It became interesting to work under Fabrizio Ravanelli, and I agreed.
- What are your memories of working with this Italian specialist?
- We had almost no results, but with his approach, I think they would have come. We had a good relationship. Ravanelli respected the work of his players, treated everyone fairly. Those who trained well played. No one from above ever told him who to play and who not to play. He had his own opinion. In general, the period of work of Ravanelli's coaching staff at Arsenal was positive.
The problem was in the club's management. It was unclear who the president was. The players and coaches were treated inappropriately. All of this together led to the team's relegation from the UPL.
- What is the most egregious case of unprofessionalism you can remember?
- I received a maximum of two or three salaries during the season. And this was despite the fact that they were very small. I had to almost beg for money to get at least something. At the same time, the managers would just make the sign of the cross in front of us and say that everything would be fine tomorrow. Then they would switch off their phones and not answer calls. That's how they are still giving us the money.
- Do you still have any chance of getting your money back?
- I don't hope for that money, God is their judge. I don't want to use foul language about these people.
- You watched Mykhailo Mudryk take his first steps in adult football at Arsenal. What are your memories of playing with him?
- He was a child with incredible talent. Mudryk worked hard on himself after training. At that time, it was hard for him in that team because he played his football. That is, not for money or his name, but just playing beautiful football. Well done to him for getting to this level over time.
- Did the senior partners get very nervous when Mudryk tried to beat the whole opposing team by himself?
- Of course they did. Not only the seniors, but everyone in the team was freaking out. There were moments when he picked up the ball, ran at everyone, and just lost it again and again. The team then had to take the ball away for a very long time, it was difficult.
However, perhaps this period was good for Mudryk. He was shoved somewhere, he drew conclusions, and now he plays at the top level.
"Kolos has done everything in its power to prevent Dynamo from becoming second in 2020"
- Now I'd like to talk about Kolos, the main team in your career so far. How did you get there?
- This option came to me after I returned from my loan at Arsenal. The parties came to an agreement and Dynamo let me go, which I was very happy about. When you come to a team on a contract, not on loan, it's a completely different feeling.
At first, I came to Kolos for a viewing, Ruslan Kostyshyn looked at me, we talked and signed an agreement.
- In the very first season after joining the UPL, Kolos reached the European competitions. How did this become possible?
- I used to play for Arsenal, so here was a diametrically opposite situation: the attitude of the management, the staff, the relationships in the team, the work on the field... All this has borne fruit.
- Did you expect such a result?
- You always expect the best. When you win from match to match, you realise that you can compete with strong teams, and you have a goal. Everything is possible. When I was a little boy, I only dreamed of playing for Dynamo, and then I played in the Champions League.
- In the final round of the 2019/20 UPL regular season, an unmotivated Kolos won its first, and so far only, victory over Dynamo (2-0). Did you realise that you could deprive Kyiv of silverware?
- There were no matches we didn't prepare for. This is our job, our life. Yes, we had no tournament motivation, but we didn't go out on the pitch just to do a number.
- Was it important for you to beat Dynamo after leaving the club?
- I can't say that it was something special for me. Well, maybe just a little bit. I was happy to see Kolos win. I didn't have and don't have any grudges against Dynamo.
- Weren't you disappointed after the game that Zorya failed to beat Desna (1-1) in the parallel match and didn't pass Kyiv in the table?
- It so happened that in that season, two teams claimed second place until the last round. It just happened. We did our best.
- In the play-offs for the right to play in European competitions, you defeated Dnipro-1 (4-1) and Mariupol (1-0). Which of the matches was more difficult?
- "Dnipro-1 was somehow easier for us thanks to the first two quick goals. We controlled the game there.
It was more difficult with Mariupol in the final. This game summed up the result of the whole team's work for the year. It was the dream of the president and many players to play in the European Cups. Thank God, we achieved it.
"Selezniov is a normal guy. He did not behave arrogantly"
- In the Europa League qualifiers next season, you beat Aris 2-1 and lost to Rijeka 0-2. Were you worried about the relegation?
- We moved from match to match. The passage of Aris gave us incredible emotions.
The defeat to Rijeka was painful. We lost in water polo, because it is hardly football. The rain flooded the field. The ball did not move at all. The situation was worse than in the recent game between Minaj and Vorskla (0:0).
We had chances to score against Rijeka and move on. I remember Zhenya Selezniov could have scored from just a few metres in the 90th minute. Football is interesting because there are ups and downs, victories and defeats. You feel sad for a few days, and then you realise that you need to move on and strive to reach this level again.
- Was Kolos ready for the group stage at that time?
- Why not? Rijeka, who played no better than we did, then beat Copenhagen (1-0).
- How did the star Selezniov behave in the team?
- He didn't behave arrogantly. He was a normal guy. He worked as hard as he could.
- What kind of story happened between Selezniov and Kostyshyn at the winter training camp, after which the striker was actually kicked out of the team?
- This question is not at the right place. You have to ask Selezniov and Kostyshyn.
"When Kuchuk coached Rukh for a while, I realised it was time to return to Kolos"
- At the end of the 2020/21 season, you unexpectedly moved from Kolos to Rukh, even though the team from Kovalivka qualified for the European Cups for the second time in a row, and you were getting regular game practice. Why did you make this decision?
- This is a difficult question. There were some moments that made me decide that I needed to change something. I was interested in trying my hand at Rukh, although I had talks with other teams.
- Who invited you to Rukh?
- Before the transfer, I talked to Hryhorii Kozlovskyi and Ihor Dedyshyn. Head coach Ivan Fedyk was also interested in me and saw me in the team.
- Why didn't things work out for you in Lviv?
- Fedyk worked only for the first two rounds, then Leonid Kuchuk came in. And that was it.
- Didn't you get on well?
- I am for honest relationships in the team, without any undercurrents. What was happening in the team then was unacceptable to me personally. There must be some values and human relations, and then everything else. I don't want to go into it. Everyone who was in Rukh at the time will understand me.
Perhaps my injuries also had a negative impact. I couldn't recover from the injury for a long time. Then I had a hard time with the "crown". It didn't help my mood.
- When did you realise it was time to return to Kovalivka?
- When Kuchuk trained a bit, then I realised.
- Did you ask to come back?
- I didn't really ask. I just kept talking to the guys from Kolos, they knew about my situation and called me back. Then I started talking to Yaroslav Vyshniak, who also wanted me back. We came to an agreement.
- Did Rukh let you go easily?
- I had good communication with all the management. They wanted to keep me, but I asked to leave. I couldn't stay in the team any longer because of what was happening there.
"Zinchenko has a bright head. He got to the EPL not by chance"
- You have experience of playing for various youth and youth national teams of Ukraine. In total, you played five matches in a blue and yellow shirt. What do you think was missing to get involved in the national team more often?
- It's hard to say. I didn't really think about it. I did everything in my power. At Dynamo, I worked with Spanish specialists who gave me a lot. Therefore, due to the fact that I was not called up to the national teams, I frankly lost little.
- Nowadays, there are scandals in the media related to our youth and youth national teams because certain players were not called up. Have you ever been approached by agents with a proposal to "solve" this issue?
- Personally, no one has ever called me. Maybe there were some games, but I don't know anything about it.
- What stars did you meet in the national team?
- We had a strong team with many good players - Oleksandr Zinchenko, Viktor Kovalenko, Mykola Matvienko, Andrii Boryachuk. All of them are playing at a high level now.
- Did Zinchenko already have the potential of Manchester City and Arsenal back then?
- I think so. Zinchenko got to these clubs not by chance. His intelligence was noticeable, his head was bright. I also remember his good human qualities.
- Finally, about your plans.
- I want to fulfil the president's task and get into the European Cup zone.
Dmytro VENKOV
