Oleksandr Pikhalenok: "I think my recovery will take about three weeks"

For the first time this season, Dnipro-1 midfielder Oleksandr Pikhalonok missed his team's game in the Ukrainian league in the 2023/2024 season. This was due to an injury sustained in the last round of matches. The footballer spoke about his recovery time after the match.

Alexander Pikhalenok

- In the last round, in the game against Zorya, you were substituted in the seventh minute of the match. What injury did you suffer and how are you feeling now?

- I have a torn anterior thigh muscle. I think my recovery will take about three weeks.

- Did you get injured in a calendar match?

- No, I didn't. Earlier I had a spasm, then the pain went away, but not completely. Obviously, I should have had an examination right away. We were all in a hurry and, unfortunately, the injury made itself felt. And the injury happened at a completely normal moment. I had an MRI scan and was diagnosed with a tear.

- Is it a shame that the team has to do without you in the decisive matches of the championship?

- Of course, it's a shame. I believe that I have gained optimal conditions now. I played at a good level with Kolos, and I managed to do a lot in the training process. Now I need to fully recover and remove the pain, and then get fit again.

- Dnipro-1 started the match with Metalist 1925 confidently, Hutsulyak scored a goal, and then you failed to build on your success. Why?

- I think we played well throughout the match. Perhaps, by the 65th minute of the game, we were a little bit tired. Sometimes we gave the initiative to Kharkiv. The hosts had one chance in the first half and two standards in the second half. And we had moments that are called goals. Of course, we should have scored the second goal and everything would have been calmer. And so, with a score of 1-0, the opponent can always have the opportunity to equalise. In the second half, Zhenya Volynets once saved us.

- During this match, Metalist 1925 defender Maksym Imerekov twice shot at your goal after a set-piece and hit the crossbar twice. He also levelled the score. Could you have played with him more carefully at your goal?

- We analysed the opponents' game. Here I want to note the good passes that found Imerekov. Maxim made a great header, which is always dangerous.

- Do you keep track of where you are constantly being wooed: either to Girona or another European club?

- I don't really read such news. And I treat such publications with caution. I have a contract with Dnipro-1. It is clear that the transfer window will open in the summer, and there will be a lot of news. The main thing for me now is to recover from the injury.