Former Dynamo player Taras Mykhalyk shared his impressions of Oleksandr Shovkovskyi's team's 3-0 victory over Serbian Partizan in the Champions League qualifying match.
Taras Mikhalik
- The events in Belgrade unfolded according to the expected scenario. After their impressive victory a week ago in Lublin, there was no point in Dynamo playing at their best. In the opener, Kyiv focused on minimizing the number of mistakes and ball losses in order to deprive the hosts of a chance to score a quick goal. They succeeded, and after Yarmolenko scored, the partisans despaired of taking revenge.
- But the hosts started the second half very actively, and it seems that Dynamo were not ready for this.
- Perhaps the slow pace that the Serbs adopted before the break somewhere lulled the guests' vigilance. And when the hosts picked up the pace after the break and began to press high, threatening situations arose not only on the flanks but also in the support area. It's good that Partizan did not equalize. This should serve as a warning signal for Kyiv that they should not give up the initiative even to an opponent of such a level as Belgrade.
- What were the disadvantages of Kyiv's game against the Partizans?
- The only downside to yesterday's match is the injury of stopper Dyachuk, especially when you take into account that next week Kyiv will play in the Champions League against Glasgow Rangers, where there will be a lot of riding, and Maksym is just unyielding in duels on the "second floor". This is a serious loss because other Dynamo central defenders lack game practice.
- In your opinion, is this the only problematic position at Dynamo?
- I wouldn't overstate the case, there are promising Bilovar and Mykhavko, although the loss of a starting lineup player creates some inconveniences. Therefore, we can only wish Dyachuk a speedy return to action, and it is up to the coaching staff to decide who will replace him.
- In August, Oleksandr Shovkovskyi will also have at his disposal those Dynamo players who played at the Junior Euro and the Olympic Games in July. In your opinion, which of them can play with Glasgow Rangers?
- Due to Dyachuk's injury, Mykhavko may be involved, but one of them will definitely be included in the application. The main thing is that the guys are progressing, and this gives reason to hope that Shovkovsky will be able to count on them in the near future.
Andrii Pysarenko
