Dynamo's all-rounder Oleksandr Karavayev shared his impressions of the Champions League 2nd qualifying round return match against Partizan (3-0) and his expectations for the upcoming clash with Rangers.
Oleksandr Karavayev. Photo: fcdynamo.com
- What emotions do you feel after the game?
- Very positive, because after winning 6-2 in the first match, we wanted to visit our opponent and show that that result was not a fluke and that we can beat them on their field as well. We were very motivated. Everyone knows what happened before our confrontation. When rockets were hitting hospitals and maternity hospitals in Kyiv, and I, as a father of three, took it all very personally, Partizan played in you know where - I don't even want to name that country out loud. So it was a very strong motivation for us, we couldn't play any other way. I believe that we outplayed this team in all aspects, so the result is natural.
- Not only motivation, but also the team's physical form was at a high level, even in the last minutes everyone was running forward. As the head coach said, "one winger passes the ball, and the other winger runs and scores a goal..."
- I will say that it was a very big desire. When we play and understand the instructions that when one fullback joins the attack, the other one should be a little bit behind and cover, because it is very risky. But in the last few minutes, we were very motivated, and we scored the goal in that way - it shows the level of our desire and, of course, readiness.
- If we look at your previous experience in the Champions League qualifiers, you can be called the best scorer in the qualifiers of the most prestigious club tournament. Two years ago you scored twice, and now you have also scored two goals...
- Yes, I also noticed that I already have four goals in the Champions League qualifiers. Now I have a dream to score in the group stage. As they say, you set a goal, and you have to go for it. Of course, I want to achieve maximum results. We have our own goals, ideas on how to achieve them, and we stick to them. The next opponent is ahead, and we will prepare for it. But the first two or three days should be devoted to recovery, which is what we will do.
- Even before the return match, we knew that Rangers would be our opponent in the next round. Have you already watched the Scottish team?
- No, I haven't watched it yet. In principle, I know this team, which players play there, in which championship they play, how they performed in the European arena last season. Of course, this is a very difficult opponent, we will analyze it. It's a powerful power football, it will be a completely different game, but I think we have a very strong squad, we have good promising young players and experienced players who have seen football at many levels. So we have a very good balance. I also like that the young players listen to all the information given by the coaching staff and all the tips from their experienced partners and absorb them like a sponge.
- You marked the goal with a beautiful symbolic gesture. To whom is it dedicated?
- Of course, to my family. It turned out to be a funny situation. When we played the first match in Lublin, I usually always talk to my wife before the game, tell her whether I'm going to play or not, how I feel, she asks about my health, she always worries about me. But then somehow I didn't say at all that I was likely to play, and she just found out half an hour before the game that I was in the lineup. She was shocked because she was traveling on business, solving many issues, but she stops the car and starts watching the broadcast (laughs). Honestly, I wouldn't have done that - I would have come home and turned on the second half. But she's been worried from the first minutes, and I really feel this support in my family. I have said and will continue to say that when your relatives, friends, family support you, it is a great motivation that you cannot get anywhere else.
