Oleksandr Shovkovskyi, head coach of Dynamo Kyiv, told a press conference before the return match with Scottish Rangers in the 3rd qualifying round of the Champions League what he expects from this match.
Oleksandr Shovkovskyi. Photo — fcdynamo.com- What is the personnel situation in the team before tomorrow's match? Are all the players who did not play against Veres ready for tomorrow's match?
- Yes, we played a match in the Ukrainian league and won 2-1. We are preparing for the second match with Rangers in a good mood. In fact, we have the main group of players preparing for the match. Volodymyr Shepelev will definitely not be able to help us, he was injured and is currently recovering in Ukraine. Similarly, Mykola Mykhaylenko suffered a minor injury and did not fly with us - we decided that it made no sense for him to go through two flights with an injured ankle, as it would be an additional burden. Otherwise, everyone else is ready to take to the pitch tomorrow.
- In the first match, Dynamo had almost no chances from about the 70th minute onward. Is this due to the substitutions of Shaparenko and Pikhalenko?
- I want to say that, of course, we realized during the game that there would be pressure from the opponent. In turn, we tried to find opportunities to launch a counterattack. But I do not agree that the team did not play from the 70th minute.
- You have already played at this stadium, against the Scottish national team. What are your impressions and memories of that match?
- Yes, I personally have great memories of Glasgow, because we played here when I was still at the national team headquarters. Then we beat Sweden in extra time - 2:1, and reached the quarterfinals of Euro 2020. Then we played against Scotland in a head-to-head match for the right to play at the 2022 World Cup. We also won that game, and I remember this stadium and the support from the hosts. However, it's always nice to play with the stands full, when you feel the support of the team, even if they support the opponent. Because football is a game for spectators. And we have to admit that we missed playing high-level matches in front of full stands. We miss that today. But these are the emotions for which the players, in principle, go out on the field.
- Do you believe that the large crowd that will gather for tomorrow's match will give your players a boost?
- I believe that in general, the people who will come to the stadium tomorrow love both their club and football in general. And we want to do everything we can to show a great spectacular game so that they can appreciate the result we hope for.
- You've certainly learned a lot about Rangers from the previous match. Is there anyone from the opposition who should be given extra attention?
- A team goes out and plays on the football field. Each player strives to play as well as possible and show their best game. It's always been like that, and it should be like that. Undoubtedly, every player will try to realize their best, and our players will do their best to show their strengths. I have never separated players from the team, and in order to achieve results, each player must subordinate his personal ideas to the team's ideas and achievements. That's why we are preparing for a very difficult but, I am sure, very interesting game.
- Did you talk to Oleg Kuznetsov or Oleksiy Mykhailychenko before tomorrow's game? Did they give you any advice based on their experience playing for Rangers?
- Of course, they told me about their last matches. (Smiles). But this is a joke. Seriously, I did not have such an opportunity. But in certain circles, of course, we talked about their performances in Scotland for Rangers.
