On Wednesday, 1 May, the rescheduled match of the 5th round of the Ukrainian championship of the season-2023/24 took place. Dynamo Kyiv defeated Veres from Rovno with the score 3:0. The match took place in Kyiv at the Dynamo stadium named after Valeriy Lobanovskiy. Here is the post-match press conference of the teams' coaches.
Oleksandr SHOVKOVSKY, Dynamo head coach:
- I congratulate all Dynamo fans on the victory. I thank our armed forces, our defenders and defencewomen for the opportunity to play such matches, for the opportunity to play in the UPL.
We were preparing for this match, understanding that the opponent will make certain conclusions from the first match against us, where he managed to snatch a draw in the last minutes. We understood that it would be a difficult match, because we expected that Veres would defend with great forces and look for chances in counterattacks.
Not everything we managed in the first half, but we realised that after the first goal it would be a bit easier for us to play. In principle, it turned out that way.
Today, not all of our players could play because of the disqualification, but we have a certain number of players. And, again, Bilovar and Supriaga, unfortunately, could not play because of the illness.
- When this virus in the team will end?
- I am just as dissatisfied and concerned about it. Both the president of our club got sick, and the representatives of the coaching staff were not in the best condition. I hope that this is the last agony of the virus.
We take all the necessary measures to support the immune system of the players, but this situation is one of those that are difficult to control.
- How do you comment on Ponomarenko's goal?
- I will not comment on Ponomarenko's game. He has potential, and he must do everything possible to grow into a full-fledged player. In the meantime, he has much, much work to do both psychologically and tactically. Playing at the U-19 level and playing for the first team in UPL are completely different things. Among other things, there is a very big psychological load at this level. Maybe he has not faced it yet, but he must realise: to whom much is given, the demand is also great. And not everyone can withstand the psychological load.
Therefore, one should gradually learn and work. As Valeriy Vasilyevich Lobanovsky said, to talent you must add 95 diligence and work on your own qualities. Therefore, it is important how Ponomarenko will work and how he will understand what needs to be done.
I always say to the guys: you should not look at where you came and where you are now - you should analyse what you did to achieve it and what efforts you spent. And then you will progress every day. You should not dwell on what you have achieved, what titles you have won, how many goals you have scored. First of all, you must understand that you must grow together with the team and not put your ambitions above it. Yes, you have to develop individually, but you have to do it together with the team. And give everything. And then as players you will progress. And you will be able to play not only in UPL, but also at the highest level.
Oleg Shandruk, acting head coach of Veres:
- Until the second goal, we looked quite qualitative. Yes, I understand, we spent a lot of time in defence, but that's what we were preparing for - to play without the ball. We were patient, withstood the structure.
It is very hard to play on zero with Dynamo Kyiv. But, at the same time, we had a couple of chances. Unfortunately, we were not effective in these episodes.
Well, we probably failed in the end of the match....
- Why was there such a serious rotation in your lineup compared to the previous matches?
- There are several reasons. First of all, we had forced substitutions. Both because of over-carding and injuries. In addition, we also carried out a planned rotation: we have players who pulled all the previous games under heavy loads, and today we wanted to give other players to play.
Let them play against Dynamo Kyiv to understand for ourselves who we can count on in the last matches, in the key matches for us! And we got a lot of positive information. Our team is quite even. It is not the first time we make a lot of substitutions, but it does not affect the game.
Oleksandr POPOV from the Dynamo Stadium named after Valeriy Lobanovskiy