Former Dynamo and Ukraine coach Jozsef Szabo shared his thoughts on Ruslan Malinowski after his goal against Atalanta.
- Jožef Jožefović, how would you rate Malinowski's goal for Atalanta?
- Ruslan scored his crowning goal from the left from long range. What can I say, he performed well, the goalkeeper had no chance.
- Malinowski scored his third goal in 23 matches for Genoa. He also had two assists. Is this a good indicator for him?
- He has a very small performance. It doesn't compare to Atalanta, where he was the best assistant in Serie A, scoring eight goals a season. And Malinowski's transfers from one team to another - first Marseille, now Genoa - are not good for him. It's especially unfortunate because Ruslan is a good, hard-working and intelligent footballer.
- Is Genoa a team of his level?
- Of course not. It's a mediocre team with no ambition. Malinowski has definitely lowered his bar by moving to Genoa. He began to play worse, not always even getting into the team. And this is in the 12th team in the Serie A standings!
- You have already mentioned that Malinowski spent his best years at Atalanta. Why do you think Ruslan left the Bergamo club?
- Most likely, it was his own will that drove him away. Ruslan had a conflict with Gasperini. The coach had conflicts not only with Malinowski but also with other players, he has a difficult personality, but he is a good specialist. "Atalanta has always been at a high level under him. Gasperini looks up to Lobanovsky, which means he is a demanding coach.
- Couldn't the conflict with Gasperini be caused by Malinowski's wife Roxana, who often speaks out about football on social media and in the press? Once she even complained about Ruslan's early substitution.
- I believe that footballers' wives have no business getting involved at all. Many wives start telling coaches and players how to play. It's not right!
Roxanne. Perhaps that's why Malinowski is suffering, since he doesn't fit in anywhere.
- Malinowski is already 30 years old. Do you think he will still play at a high level?
- I don't think he will play for a long time. Age is age. Malinowski is good in tackling and attacking, but technically and physically he is already losing ground. It is unlikely that we will see him in a stronger team. And with his character, he can quickly finish with football.
Andrii Piskun