Taras Mykhavko, a defender for Dynamo Kyiv and the Ukrainian youth national team, is currently defending Ukraine's honor at Euro U-19. Dmytro Mykhaylenko's charges have already secured a place in the World Youth Championship and will play in the semifinals against France today.
Taras Mikhavko- What made it possible to reach the semifinals of the UEFA Youth Euro?
- The team is very important. All the guys were very serious about reaching the World Youth Championship. After two rounds, there was nowhere to retreat. We had to beat Italy. No one thought we couldn't do it. There was great motivation and desire to get out of the group. It was quite easy to tune in to the game. The coaching staff and players believed in our victory.
Even when we were down 1-2 in the course of the game, no one gave up. We immediately fought back and snatched the victory at the end of the game. They showed their character.
- In the first two rounds, Ukraine did not score a single goal. What is the reason for such a poor performance against weaker teams?
- The opponents were very organized. Northern Ireland built a quantitative defense against us. The game took place on an artificial pitch, which took some getting used to. It was not easy to create many chances. We did not take advantage of the chances we had. Our main striker Matviy Ponomarenko did not play due to disqualification. In the match against Norway, we had chances, but the realization let us down.
- The tournament is held on artificial fields. In addition, Northern Ireland has its own climatic features. Did you have to adapt to unusual conditions? How difficult is it to play football in such conditions?
- As for the weather conditions, it was even better that it was raining. It was not hot. English football weather. The surface was a bit hard. When it rains, it's better to work with the ball, it doesn't bounce off the lawn so hard.
- During the match against Norway, you started playing as a left back. How comfortable do you feel on the wing rather than in the center of defense?
- This is not a new position for me. I played here at the FC Lviv Academy when I was 13-14 years old. I just had to get used to it and remember the necessary skills to play on the defensive flank.
- The European Youth Championship takes place after the summer vacation. Are there any problems with the game and physical tone?
- There are problems with physical fitness. We gathered after the vacation in Poland. There was not much time to gain the necessary physical condition. The week of training in Poland did not help much. The fields were grass. In Northern Ireland, the surface is completely different. I had to get used to it.
- Will it be a problem that you missed almost all the preparations for the season with Dynamo?
- No, it won't. We have very important matches in the national team. There is a lot of intensity. Every three days we play games. If we perform well at the Euro, we will have a chance to prove ourselves in adult football.
- What are your expectations for the match against France?
- I didn't really follow the vicissitudes in the other group. Therefore, it did not matter much who we would play in the semifinals. There are no weak opponents at this stage. We had to think about our tasks and game. We will try to reach the final.
It is very unpleasant that we lost three key players. But nothing can be changed. We will try to get a positive result.
- Which opponent was the hardest to play against?
- Against the Italians. They are strong players individually. I can't single out anyone. Everyone is at a good level. It was also difficult against Norway.
- Last season, you won the Ukrainian Youth Championship and became a full-fledged player in Dynamo's first team. Although no one really knew much about you before. How do you assess the past season for yourself?
- I am satisfied with it. There were many new challenges after joining Dynamo. I got my chances and tried to use them.
- Last summer, you could have gone to England to one of the Premier League clubs. Do you have any regrets?
- No, I don't. I am happy to have joined Dynamo. I see an opportunity to develop and progress at this club.
- At Dynamo, you play as a center back. If they put you on the left wing, will there be any problems?
- There won't be any problems. I don't care what position I play - center back, full back or left back. The main thing is that the coach trusts me.
- There was information in the media that at the beginning of the training camp in June, Oleksandr Shovkovskyi tried you in the support area and liked your game. How true is this?
- I cannot confirm this information. We had one sparring session (a match against Ingulets), where I played in the support area. But there was no such thing as me being played in this position. A few days later, I went to the U-19 national team for a training camp in Poland.
I feel good at the position of a holding midfielder. You need game practice to gain the necessary experience.
- Last season, Dynamo's youth team regained gold medals. What made it possible to win the championship?
- Dynamo's youth team has a very good squad and coaches. It was very important to bring the championship back to Kyiv. For a long time, Dynamo had not won the U-19 championship. There were very difficult matches. Especially the confrontation with Shakhtar, but we proved that we are the strongest youth team in Ukraine in the 2023/2024 season.
- Is it easier to have your partners - Matvey Ponomarenko, Andriy Matkevych and Oleksiy Gusev - in the national team?
- Of course. When you have your friends in the team, it's easier. But in general, we all communicate with each other and know each other well. There is no division into team affiliation.
- You started the second part of the season as Dynamo's main center back. What are your impressions of adult football?
- Only positive ones. It is always a pleasure to play for Dynamo's first team. Nerves are the enemy in official matches. So I had to go out and show my best. I had some nerves. But when you start playing, all emotions recede. I was well received in the first team. It was a good team. Everyone tried to help and advise me.
- People started talking and writing about you a lot. How much pressure does it put on you, or does it help?
- I didn't pay much attention to the information about me. My job is to train and play. That's why I was focused on that.
- How big is the difference between the work of Oleksandr Shovkovskyi and Ihor Kostiuk?
- Each coach has his own vision and requirements. I did not see any radically different requirements.
- Last summer, Vladyslav Herych from FC Lviv came with you. He scored a lot at the beginning of the season. But he hasn't revealed himself yet. What was the reason for that?
- Vlad had injuries that prevented him from showing his best.
- Ihor Kostiuk immediately began to put you in the starting lineup of the Dynamo youth team. What are the peculiarities of this coach?
- Ihor Volodymyrovych teaches the players a lot. He has been working in youth football for a long time. He helps and advises. It is very comfortable to work with him.
- Was it a problem that you started the second part of the season as a main player of Dynamo's first team and then returned to the youth team?
- When you play on a regular basis, you gain more self-confidence. When you drop out because of an injury and return to the youth team, it's hard. But you have to work hard and prove your ambitions.
- Were you not upset when Dynamo signed Bryan Ceballos? The Colombian defender is close to you in terms of profile.
- No, he's not. It's just competition. You have to work hard.
- What are your expectations for the new season?
- I am very pleased that the U-19 will play in the UEFA Youth League. International experience is always important for young players. But I want to fight for the first team. I need to prove myself and win the competition.
Serhii Tyshchenko
