Oleksandr Shovkovskyi, head coach of Dynamo Kyiv, told a press conference before the first match against Salzburg in the Champions League playoffs what he expects from this match.
Oleksandr Shovkovskyi. Photo — fcdynamo.com- Tell us about the role of the fans in tomorrow's match, given that you are starting the third qualifying round in a row with a home match.
- Of course, when you play not at your home stadium, the NSC Olimpiyskiy in Kyiv, which can accommodate 70,000 fans, everything is different. But we are grateful to Lublin for responding and giving us the opportunity to play our home games here, as well as for supporting us and doing everything possible to make us feel at home. This is worth a lot in terms of emotions and feelings.
There were fewer people at the match with Partizan, but more came to the game with Rangers, and we hope that tomorrow more of our supporters will gather in the stands to support us in the match against RB Salzburg. We are very grateful to them, it is important for us. We play football for the fans, to bring joy to people, and for our part, we will do our best to please our people with a great game and, of course, a result.
- In the preliminary stage, Twente scored two goals against RB Salzburg in the second leg after a corner kick, and Dynamo has players like Denis Popov who play well on the second floor. Is this a chance for Dynamo, in your opinion?
- This is one of the chances that may exist, but the game consists of many factors, including the organization of actions in defense and attack, as well as in the transitional phases. The team is preparing, we have studied the opponent and are ready to take to the pitch tomorrow.
- Forecasters predict rain tomorrow during the match, do you take the weather conditions into account when preparing for the match, when choosing the lineup, etc.
- We are preparing for the game, understanding which opponent we will face, taking into account their strengths and trying to find their weaknesses. And weather conditions are a factor that does not depend on us. We need to keep our feet firmly on the ground, and for the rest we will rely on the football god.
- Before the game, the opponent noted Dynamo's fast attacking players, as well as quick transitions from defense to attack. What strengths would you highlight?
- The opposing team is young, ambitious, plays high-speed football, and tries to dictate its terms on the pitch. Of course, we need to expect their entire attacking line to be aggravated and be careful when organizing our defense. As for singling out any of the players, I have never done it and I will not do it now. I will only say that, except for the last season, RB Salzburg has consistently won the league and participated in the Champions League. This indicates a fairly high, good level of the team.
