On Tuesday, Dynamo played the Champions League qualification match with Rangers, and today they start the competition in the Ukrainian championship. The Kyiv team will meet Veres in Rivne. Renowned coach Serhiy Kovalets shared his thoughts on the readiness of Oleksandr Shovkovskiy's team and gave a prediction for the return match with Rangers.
- I liked the team in the two games against Partizan, as well as against Rangers. Yes, we need to improve a bit in teamwork in defense, because the goal conceded in the last minute raises questions. But a draw, I think, is not a bad result, because Zhora Buschan really helped out a few times. I liked the first half against Rangers. The opponent is an interesting, powerful team, which, even relatively recently, in 2022, participated in the finals of the Europa League. Then the Scots only in a series of penalty shootouts lost to "Eintracht". Eurocup confrontations involve a strategy of two matches - home and away. Of course, we needed a win in Poland and it was close. Now we need to draw conclusions from the first match and prepare well for the return game in Glasgow.
- After the final whistle Buschan expressed his complaints to Vivcharenko, who allowed to perform a wing pass...
- Vivcharenko allowed to pass, and Popov did not have time to prevent the forward to strike, but it was already the end of the opponent's attack. We need to analyze the whole combination. The priority is team actions in defense, not individual.
- How would you evaluate Dynamo's physical readiness in the starting matches of the season?
- In my opinion, the team is ready. It is clear that it is only the beginning of the season and there are certain nuances, we need to get involved in the process. But I want to note that Dynamo did not postpone the match with Veres. Only on Tuesday the Kyiv team played a grueling match with Rangers, then there were complicated logistics, we had to spend time on the road and two days later on the third - the game in Rivne.
The coaching staff feels the readiness of the team and the fact that the resources allow to play in such a rhythm. In summer Dynamo was replenished with new midfield players - Rubchynskyi, Bragaru, Pihalenka - I think that there will be rotation. I hope that the physical condition will allow Kyivians to start well in UPL and play solidly in the return match with Rangers.
- Will the stands in Glasgow put pressure on the Kyiv team?
- I am sure that there will be a lot of fans, but the psychological pressure will affect the home team. I looked through the local press, coaches and players say that now they have more chances than Dynamo. Let's see.
- What is the best way to oppose teams like Rangers, who play classic British soccer, in which the emphasis is on power struggles and overhead passes?
- We need to control the ball, keep it more, forcing the opponent to move in idle. We need to look for unconventional solutions, such as cutting passes. It is important not to lose rebounds, as well as to act carefully during standard positions and flank passes.
- In the return match, the local fans will drive Rangers forward, and there will be free areas in the defense. We need to work on a good exit from defense to attack - this is the most effective element of soccer now.
Recently, the famous German coach Ralph Rangnick gave a lecture at the UAF, which I was also lucky enough to attend. He emphasized that he had studied under Valeriy Lobanovskiy. According to his calculations, 15% of goals are scored after positional attacks, 30% - after standards and 55% - as a result of transition from defense to attack. When there are free zones and the opponent does not have time to reorganize. We need to try to work on this in the return match.
- How would you evaluate the summer selection of Kyiv team and whether Shovkovs'kyi has the necessary depth of the squad, taking into account his performance in several tournaments?
- "Dynamo" managed to sign speedy players Bragaru, Rubchinskiy, as well as a very smart midfielder Pihalenok. Central defender Ceballos came in....
By the way, Sir Alex Ferguson said that he built his teams based on the presence of central defenders. It was important for him to have two or three center-backs of good level, around which he built the team.
Unfortunately, Dyachuk got injured.... Popov tries to play selflessly, but we need an experienced defender, who could lead the defense. Dynamo still have time, the transfer window is open. I also think that Kyiv need one more striker of good level. After all, after the victory over Partizan, Dynamo have already guaranteed their participation in the group round of European cups, God willing it will be the Champions League.
- Before the first match with Rangers, the chances of the teams were estimated 50/50. After the first game, the draw, and most importantly - the missed return goal in the last minute of the penalty time, how do you now assess the prospects of Kyiv?
- Energy and psychology are the hardest to recover, but I look at the return match with positivity. We were worried for a day or two - and we are moving to the return match. The odds may surprise me, but I estimate them 51 to 49 in favor of Dynamo. Kyivians look quite aggressive, powerful, interesting. There is reinforcement, there are emotions.
The coaching staff should work on transition phases, standard positions, rebounds.
Anatoliy Yashchenko