On 22 April, the UEFA Youth League final took place. Greek Olympiacos defeated Italian AC Milan 3-0. The team from Piraeus included local Greek players, with the exception of two Albanians who already have dual citizenship.
"Dynamo U-19. Photo by fcdynamo.comLast season, the tournament was won by the Dutch club AZ, which defeated Croatian side Hajduk in the final.
The trend in recent seasons of the UEFA Youth League is that big clubs see the tournament solely as an experience for young players, not a result. Young people need to gain experience and learn to play complex football.
This approach enables Ukrainian teams to make a run at winning the tournament. A good generation of players, coaching experience, and a combination of circumstances are a recipe for success.
I think that in the 2021/22 season, Kyiv could have a shot at victory. The youth team then defeated the future winner of the tournament, Benfica, 4-0 in Kyiv. Deportivo made it to the play-offs. But then the war changed everything. There was no time for football. It was simply unrealistic to talk about anything serious in the match against Sporting.
Unfortunately, Kyiv missed the last two seasons of the UEFA Youth League. The first team failed to win the championship. In the U-19 tournament, Rukh finished first twice. They have a very strong generation born in 2004, which is already playing in the first team.
But in general, Dynamo's prospects in the UEFA Youth League are quite good. The Kyiv team is currently leading the U-19 championship. In the second part of the season, Ihor Kostiuk's team drew only once, when they failed to overcome the Polissia "bus". A lot will be decided in the head-to-head match against Shakhtar, where even a draw will suit the Kyiv team. I think everything will be fine.
Next season, a very interesting team is emerging. Ihor Kostiuk, as a coach, already has vast experience in this tournament. A very talented generation of players is being selected: 2006 - goalkeeper Surkis, defenders Zakharchenko, Korobov, Dykyi, midfielders Ishchenko, Bilyi, Osypenko, wingers Kalyn, Pashko, forward Ponomarenko. 2007 - Rybak, Tretiak, Redushko, Ozymai, 2008 - Lucin. From 2005, you can bring in Gusev, Salenko, Balaba, Syzonyuk (if they don't go on loan). This team can really achieve a lot. At least surpass the achievements of previous years in the UEFA Youth League.
Serhii Tyshchenko
