Cherkasy LNZ midfielder Serhiy Rybalka summarised the results of yesterday's match against his former team - Dynamo Kyiv (1:1) - in the 23rd round of the Ukrainian championship.
Serhiy Rybalka (right) against Mykola Shaparenko. Photo — Y. Yuriev- Serhiy, surely you went to the pitch of the Valeriy Lobanovskiy stadium with special feelings?
- Of course, it is very pleasant to return to this stadium, where I played many times as a member of Dynamo. But now I am a football player of LNZ, and after several unsuccessful results we wanted to score points in Kyiv. Therefore, we seriously tuned for this meeting.
Now all our players are happy after the game, but all of them are very tired. The game took a lot of strength and energy from us. I see that my partners leave the locker room without much emotion.
- Is it an achievement for LNZ to draw with Dynamo in Kyiv?
- Look, Dynamo have gained a good momentum in spring. "Dynamo are in good shape now. Their recent matches are a confirmation of it. We knew that we would have to work hard on the pitch.
- Yarmolenko scored a quick goal. What were your thoughts after the conceded goal?
- Losing 0:1, we had to play in an organised manner. Everyone in our team understood perfectly well that we would not have many chances. However, we can always create one or two moments at the opponent's goal. We were determined to realise this moment. Of course, the opponents' goalkeeper helped us.
- You gave that corner kick, right?
- Yes. I saw that Nescheret started to catch the ball, although the feed was strong. The Dynamo keeper made a mistake, and our player Salihu touched the ball into the Dynamo goal.
- Do you think LNZ played better in the first half, or in the second half?
- I think we played both halves at a good level. All the guys tried their best. Yes, the hosts created chances at our goal, but luck was on our side.
- Did you deserve a draw?
- For us it is a positive result, especially against the background of recent failures.
- Is it easier for you, as an experienced footballer, to judge who plays stronger in spring - Shakhtar or Dynamo?
- Dynamo are in good shape in spring, and Shakhtar also demonstrate decent football. In mid-May they will have a face-to-face match, let them decide who will be the champion of Ukraine. Both clubs are worthy of gold medals.
