Leonid Buriak, former head coach of the Ukrainian national team and Dynamo Kyiv, commented on Shakhtar's 2-1 victory over Vorskla in the Ukrainian Cup final.
Leonid Buryak. Photo — fcdynamo.com- After yesterday's victory, Shakhtar overtook Dynamo in terms of Ukrainian Cups won and equalised with Kyiv in terms of domestic trophies. Can we say that the era of Shakhtar's hegemony in Ukraine has finally begun?
- This is football. There is no telling how it will go. No one can take away what Dynamo has.
- Can we say that the Miners dominate Dynamo, or is it really not that clear-cut with a one-goal difference?
- The Shakhtar vs Dynamo match (1-0) in the second round of the UPL was an even game. I can't say that the Donetsk team outplayed their opponent. There was a dubious penalty. I'm not talking about whether the ball hit the hand in the penalty area, but about the foul on Vitaliy Buyalsky before that, which was not recorded.
"Shakhtar will win - no question about it. You're welcome, I congratulate them. "Dynamo are going at their own pace. The higher the competition in the UPL, the better for our football.
- In the last two seasons, the matches between Shakhtar and Dynamo have been rather boring. What do you attribute this to?
- The war in the country. What holiday? There are no players at Dynamo and Shakhtar who used to make a picture. Yes, we want to play with Ukrainian players, but these talents need to be helped to move forward. We need to have 10-15 games a season, not just two games like Dynamo vs Shakhtar. And at the youth level as well. I was pleased to go to the match between these teams in the U-19 championship, in which Kyiv won. It was a very competitive and good game.
This is the historical situation in our football. Position players who play in England, Germany or Spain cost 50-60 million each. This is unrealistic money for Ukraine. Especially during the war.
- Danylo Sikan and Vladyslav Vanat have been performing very well at Shakhtar and Dynamo lately. Who, in your opinion, is more ready to move to a European club?
- I think they are at the same level today. It's good that young guys are scoring. I am only glad.
You need to understand that every talent needs time and work. You can't plant a tree and just expect it to be tall and beautiful. You need to water it, fertilise it... Coaches need to work hard to turn these talents into top-level players.
Journalists immediately rush to woo them to European giants. I don't want them to leave like Mykhailo Mudryk. We should leave the guys alone. Let them play without this unnecessary pressure.
- Shakhtar officials have stated that they are building the strongest team in their history. Can we say that they have already achieved their goal?
- I don't want to interfere in Shakhtar's affairs. I have read the statements of the Donetsk management, but I don't think it is true. They are experts. I don't know what they want. I don't think this is the best Shakhtar in history.
I think they need to be a little more modest and quiet. In this whole situation, if there was no Rinat Akhmetov with his passion and love for the club, everyone would have forgotten about Shakhtar. They should calm down and at least win a group in the Champions League or the Conference League. And you can say whatever you want.
I respect Shakhtar. When the Donetsk team plays on the international stage, we all support them. They have talented youngsters. It just happens in life that everyone considers players to be talented, and then when they meet a high-level opponent in Europe, it's a shame to watch.
- In general, are there any promising youngsters in Ukraine now?
- We have capable players. In the U-19 championship, it's a pleasure to watch Rukh, Polissia, Shakhtar, Dynamo, Kolos... Ukraine has always been famous for its talented youth.
However, it should be understood that you cannot compare the U-19 with the UPL, European Cups or the national team. These are completely different categories. It is difficult to say in advance who will play for sure. It takes time and hard work.
- Are you satisfied with the way our football is developing now?
- It's good that we have it at all, and we are moving somehow. I praise our army and all the people who help Ukraine. When you read in the news about the situation in Kharkiv and small towns in the east of the country, you think that, by and large, you should give up football and everything else and go to defend Ukraine.
Dmytro VENKOV
