The head coach of the Ukrainian national team and former Dynamo coach Serhii Rebrov shared his impressions of the draw for the main stage of the Europa League, assessing the level of the Kyiv club's opponents.
Serhii Rebrov (photo: uefa.com)- Serhiy Stanislavovych, what would you say about the draw: is it good or not, given the presence of Italian Roma and Lazio in Dynamo's group, as well as Spanish Real Sociedad, which will definitely drink blood of Oleksandr Shovkovskyi's team?
- It could have been better, but it could have been worse (laughs). You know, given the fact that the format of the Europa League and European Cups in general has been changed, it will definitely be interesting to watch every game of Dynamo in this tournament. I like the fact that there are more opponents now, eight, not three, as it was before.
If we talk about the most dangerous, inconvenient teams for Dynamo, then, most likely, these are Roma and Lazio. But Real Sociedad, you're right, is also a strong team. Yes, the team from San Sebastian did not finish in the top three of La Liga, but they looked very decent last season. Last season, they reached the 1/8 finals of the Champions League.
- And Ferencvaros is a very difficult team. Or not?
- Of course they are. A very difficult team. Just yesterday I watched them defeat Bosnian Borac Banja Luka (2-1 on penalties - ed.). Yes, they had a hard time getting through the final qualifiers, but there are a lot of quality players there now.
In general, I don't see any clear favorites in the Dynamo group. Yes, on paper, it's Roma and Lazio, but the time will come and we'll see what they show on the field.
- As for Ferencvaros. The club is not a stranger to you, if Oleksandr Shovkovskyi calls you before the game with the Hungarians and asks for advice, will you give it?
- Since I left Ferencvaros, only two or three players have remained from the team I coached. And several coaches have changed. It's a completely different team, but if Oleksandr asks me to tell him something about this club, I'll be happy to share the information.
- Will you be watching the Roma-Dynamo match especially closely, given that our national team striker Artem Dovbyk is currently playing for the Wolves?
- Of course I will. I always watch with special interest the matches of teams where national team players or potential candidates for the national team play. I watched Roma's first games in Serie A (1: 1 with Cagliari, 1: 2 with Empoli - author), and it is clear that Daniele De Rossi's team has not yet gained the necessary conditions. However, there is confidence that Roma will improve during the season.
- What can you say about Dovbyk's level of play? Somehow Artem still doesn't feel quite at ease, in my opinion... No goals so far...
- Dovbyk needs time. You see, when he was at Girona, the team played for him, but at Roma they didn't. There were a lot of flank passes to Artem. If you analyze, he scored most of his goals in Spain from outside the goalkeeper's area.
And Roma players do not play like that yet, they do not load Dovbyk. Although he had two good scoring chances in the first two matches, he could have scored, but hit the crossbar. I believe that both Roma, as I said, and Dovbyk personally, will improve from game to game.
- Maybe Dovbyk lacks Tsygankov for goals?
- Perhaps. Tsygankov really helped Dovbyk a lot at Girona, actively assisting him. But let's not forget about Savio, from whose passes Artem scored more than one or two goals. Now Dovbyk needs time to adapt to Serie A, to the new team, to his new partners.
- Some experts, including my journalist colleagues, say that it's a good thing that Dynamo didn't qualify for the Champions League. There would have been no chance for the playoffs, but in the Europa League there is. The level of opponents is lower, as it were. Do you share this opinion?
- The Champions League is a different level compared to the Europa League. But let's take a look at the teams that will play in the Europa League this season: "Manchester United, Tottenham, Porto, Roma. Aren't these teams at the level of the Champions League?
It's a pity that Dynamo failed to make it to the Champions League. But now Kyiv has to show their level in the Europa League. You can play with all opponents and win. I think we can safely set a goal of reaching the playoffs. Dynamo has faith in this.
If we had used all the chances in the return game against Salzburg, we could have beaten the Austrians. All six games in the Champions League qualifiers (two each against Partizan, Rangers and Salzburg), I would definitely include in Dynamo's assets, let's say. The team has prepared well for the new season.
- That is, you like the level of Dynamo's game in the summer of 2024 under Shovkovskyi's leadership?
- And not only I like it. Yes, I repeat, it's a pity that we didn't make it to the Champions League, but compared to last season, when Lucescu was in charge and we didn't get anywhere - not even the Conference League, today it's a completely different story.
Viktor Hlukhienkyi
