Former Dynamo Kyiv defender Taras Mykhalyk shared his impressions of his former team's 2-0 win over Scottish side Rangers in the 3rd Champions League qualifying match, which took place yesterday in Glasgow.
- Taras Volodymyrovych, how did you like Dynamo's performance in this match?
- In principle, I liked Dynamo's performance. I said before the match that the main task was to survive the first 20-30 minutes. But I can't say that Rangers really clamped down, because, to be honest, I expected the Scots to put a lot of pressure in the first 20 minutes. "Rangers certainly struck, but I expected them to create more danger. I really liked Dynamo's performance.
- You say that the Scots didn't press as much as you expected, but do you think that it was Dynamo's escape from that pressure that played a decisive role?
- At the moment, I can say that the team has this component at a good level. Not only in this game, but in all the Champions League matches - with Partizan and Rangers. Although there is no arguing that the withdrawal of the Scots helped in this game.
I was really worried that the first 30 minutes might be difficult for Dynamo's players, lest Rangers put them under intense pressure, because British teams can do it well. But Dynamo held on, endured, and at the end pressed the opponent and turned the tide of the game, which was basically equal, in my opinion. After the penalty, Dynamo looked more interesting.
- Did the foul on Karavayev by Zhefta really lead to a second yellow for the Brazilian?
- To be honest, all such decisions are submitted to the referee. Now I don't understand such moments at all, not only in this game, but in general. Once upon a time, such moments would not have been given not only a yellow card, but no one would have whistled a violation, but now, apparently, these are the rules. If this decision was not in our favor, it would be an unpleasant moment, but since the referee made this decision, it means that the foul was probably worth a yellow.
I don't like such decisions, because I prefer the tough football we used to play. Nowadays, you can often see simulations in matches, but in this episode, if the referee gave it, then thank God, as they say.
- In general, during the game we saw a lot of fouls from the Scots. Could it have been deliberate provocations on their part?
- I don't think it was about provocations. These fouls are more about the British style of play, which they usually play. The game is played "from the knife", they demonstrate more hard football. But I liked Dynamo because they did not give in in this component, which is very important.
- Rangers had enough scoring chances even after the sending off. What did Dynamo lack to seize the initiative in the match right away?
- I believe that it was the right decision not to attack with great force immediately after the red card for the Rangers player. There was no need to create a situation, as they say, "checkers bare - and everyone ran forward". This is football - the loss of one player is certainly significant, but not critical, and there are teams that win with ten. That's why Dynamo did everything rationally.
- In the last five matches, only Denys Popov has had a stable place among the defenders in the lineup. Recalling your own experience, can you tell us how problematic a constant rotation of defenders can be for the team?
- The rotation of defenders is really not a very pleasant phenomenon for the team. But here we had a situation where Dyachuk got injured. He played very well, so it's a loss for Kyiv. But when I saw Mykhavko play live in a match against Veres, I really liked him, I think he has a great prospect.
I even asked Serhiy Fedorov, who is in charge of training defenders at Dynamo, about him. He replied that, despite certain nuances in the game moments, Mikhavko's potential is really great. And next to a player like Popov, he will only grow and gain experience. Since Dyachuk was injured, while he is returning to form, Mykhavko has every chance, let him work
- And how did you like the performance of Dynamo's center of defense in this match? Did you think they did better than in the first game against Desserts, who was so actively sought after by the opposing team?
- Kyiv played to zero, but I thought that the Scottish players would put more pressure. I can't say that they had many good chances, but Bushchan played a big role in the moments that did happen. It is very important when there is a person with experience in the goal who gives confidence to others. The defenders feel it.
- Do you see any progress in Denys Popov's game now? It was he who did not play in the first match at the end, which resulted in the Rangers goal...
- Popov has improved a lot in defense in recent matches, God willing, so that he doesn't get injured, because you can see how he is growing before our eyes. In principle, I have always liked his game, but he was an exclusively power player. And now he is improving in various components of the game - he reads the game better, fights well and can already give better sharp passes at certain moments.
- Kabayev was very active on his flank in this game, he had the opportunity to score several times. How did you like Vladyslav's performance in this match?
- Vladyslav played very well, but I also liked Karavaev and Brazhko - everyone did their job. However, I would like to praise many people after the game.
- Once again, Shaparenko was effective. Do you feel that Mykola is now the leader of the team?
- I think it is. It is clear that there are veterans like Bushchan or Yarmolenko, who are leaders both on the field and in the locker room. But among the younger players, Shaparenko and Buyalsky are also team leaders - they are the guys who lead the game. God forbid I jinx it, because now Shaparenko is just getting into shape, it was evident in the national team and now. When he gains his optimal form, I think he will move to some top European championship.
- Voloshin is also showing well among the young players. How do you like his game?
- I like Voloshin not only now, but in general. Perhaps, of all the young players, Voloshin is the most interesting to me.
If he continues to play like he is now, to keep up this level, I think he will develop into at least a leader of Dynamo. At most, Dynamo can sell him to a stronger championship.
- What do you think of the performance of the team's newcomer, Oleksandr Pikhalenko?
- Pikhalenok did well, scored a goal, although Vitaliy Buyalsky also played quite well. I like the way Buyalsky, together with Shaparenko, played the game. But in the end, Pikhalenok opened the scoring and I noticed that he has merged well into the Dynamo team - it feels like he has been playing there for a long time.
- How important a role did Heorhii Bushchan play in this confrontation?
- Zhora Bushchan is a good player, he pulled off some good shots several times. The moments when the goalkeeper, as they say, "pulls it off" also add confidence to the defenders. I believe that Bushchan's role is very important now. The match against Veres is an indicator. When Zhora plays, you can feel that the team's defense is more confident. I don't want to say that Neshcheret is to blame, everyone makes mistakes. I think he's a good goalkeeper and he'll improve. But there was a mistake and the team panicked a bit after leading 2-0 and not scoring a lot of chances. And then it happened - and it happened.
I can tell you from my own experience, when Sanya Shovkovskyi was standing in the goal, I was sure that everything was in order and felt calm. When someone else came on as a substitute - it didn't even matter who came on - there was a little bit of uncertainty. It's the same here - Bushchan's role gives confidence to the players. He is an experienced player, he can shout at the defenders at certain moments, and he can play well with his feet.
"If Dynamo beat Rangers, Shovkovsky's words came true"
- In recent years, Hampden Park has hosted two important victories for the Ukrainian national team (over Sweden during Euro 2020 and in the 2022 World Cup qualifiers over Scotland), and now Dynamo's victory. Can this stadium be considered lucky for our teams?
- As Shovkovsky said: "For me, this stadium is happy". "If Dynamo went on to win, it means that it is really happy.
- Next up for Kyiv is Salzburg, do you have a prediction for this match?
- I don't want to make any predictions, but God willing, we'll play in the style we're playing now, keep the rhythm. In principle, I like everything about the Kyiv team's game so far.
- What kind of game should we expect from the Austrians?
- In my opinion, the Salzburg team will be even more interesting than Rangers, so it will be more difficult. But all Ukrainian fans would like to see Dynamo in the group stage of the Champions League.
Yevhen Chepur