Viktor Leonenko: "Poland called and sent greetings to Karavaev - they are still looking for the ball after his shot"

Former Dynamo Kyiv forward Viktor Leonenko commented on the result of the first match of the 3rd qualifying round of the Champions League, in which Kyiv drew with Rangers (1:1).

- Viktor Yevhenovych, what are your impressions of the match?

- They are twofold. The first and second halves were very different. I am happy for both teams. "Rangers played very well. And Dynamo surprised me. The opponents forced each other to make quick decisions. There was good pressure from both sides. I liked the density of the game. We called from Poland and sent greetings to Karavaev - they are still looking for the ball after his shot.

Another positive is that there were enough shots on goal, moments, half-chances, and the bar. The first half was like that.

- One shot became a goal.

- It was like in a movie, when the characters are switched. Vanat was in Yarmolenko's place, and Yarmolenko was in Vanat's place. Andriy also managed to order a high-speed elite taxi - he accelerated well. When he scored, he was, in fact, already in the goal. I congratulate him on his goal - it was a good example of how to open up for a goal. And I will call the goalkeeper the best player of the match. If not for Bushchan, things could have been worse for Kyiv.

- After the break, Dynamo gave up the initiative. Apparently, they wanted to catch the opponents on the counterattack.

- This is a disease. And not just Dynamo, but many teams. When you know you have to play, you take the initiative. And if the opponent controls the ball, the risk of conceding increases. And so it happened. There were several calls during the second half. Bushchan pulled twice after headers. "Rangers attacked almost the entire second half. The goal, as they say, was ripening. It's good that we didn't concede earlier, because then there would be fear.

As for Dynamo's counterattacks, when they have 2-3 players running out, it is very difficult to score. That's why Kyiv had no chances in the second half.

It's a shame to lose the victory in the last seconds. In general, I think that 1:1 is not bad. Because if we had kept the victory, then Scotland would have built a game exclusively from defense from the first minutes. And then some "fool" would definitely score. And so there is hope that in Glasgow we will try a different tactic. Of course, it will be more difficult there, because the stadium will be filled to capacity. Dynamo, however, is no stranger to this - we play all our matches away from home. And if we beat Rangers, it will be a serious result. Kyiv residents deserve it.

- I watched the game between Rangers and Hearts in the first round of the Scottish Championship. In Lublin, Dynamo's opponent was a different team.

- They learned to play differently, not in the British way. The coach is Belgian, there are a lot of legionnaires. "Rangers know how to control the ball, rebuild during the match. The same game with the heels. And it's not a faggotry. Such hidden passes took place when several opponents were attacking. It was beautiful, expedient and effective.

- Dynamo's coach made a lot of substitutions, and at certain moments Kyiv became more active in the attack.

- Here we must pay tribute to Shovkovsky. The substitutions were correct. It was necessary to strengthen the game, despite the fact that we had to send off Shaparenko and Yarmolenko. I want to congratulate Shovkovskyi - the team played a quality match, especially the first half. The opponents forced us to make quick decisions, and Dynamo made them under pressure. There was no veteran football - he stopped, stood, smoked, drank coffee and passed the ball.

- What else can be noted in the game of Kyiv?

- I'll stop talking about how Dynamo needs to run around at the beginning of the season and take a month to get in shape. The team is well prepared and has a quality bench. Shovkovskyi makes bold decisions, replacing even those who were previously banned. The commentator said that it is difficult for Shaparenko when 2-3 opponents are hanging on his leg. Tactically, of course, playing from the defense is not his element. However, when you take a long time to make a decision, half the opposing team will run to you. They make several touches to the ball. During this time, the Rangers players slowly returned to their half of the field. Feints should be beneficial, not vice versa.

- Sometimes this is justified, because the ball is not lost, and control over it is maintained.

- There are laws of the game. All kinds of situations arise on the field, and if the players act correctly, the risk of missing the ball is minimized. When you know how to read the game, you act proactively and, of course, you have a different transfer value. And when you start to invent something, then wait for trouble. Remember Vivcharenko's cut. In the first half, Karavaev, Vanat and Yarmolenko punished Rangers for such a mistake, and in the second half we were forgiven for it.

- How do you assess Dynamo's chances of reaching the Champions League playoffs?

- Depending on what tactics Shovkovskyi chooses for the match in Glasgow. If it's the same as in the second half of the game in Lublin, when we didn't play but watched the opponent play, it will be difficult. It will hardly make sense to fill the defense with concrete, to put up barrier blocks against Rangers. The Scots know how to play fast, unconventionally. And they have not lost the advantages of the British style. They use standards effectively and are good at heading. "Dynamo is no weaker than Rangers. Kyiv looked powerful in the first half, attacked en masse, interestingly, with a final blow. It surprised me to some extent and I liked it. Let them surprise me again in a week.

Gennadiy Chekhovsky