As previously reported, Serhiy Shyshchenko became Obolon's new head coach. The coach answered questions after his first training session with the White and Greens.
- Please share your first impressions of being in charge of the Brewers.
- A great impression, a great atmosphere, positive emotions, because this is my second club in the Premier League. I feel very comfortable here, on the first day, because the guys are very good, the club management, so the first day was full of emotions, in a good, friendly atmosphere.
- Tell us about the meeting with the president during the negotiations ?
- We had a great meeting with the club's president Oleksandr Slobodian the day before, such a football atmosphere with history, with memories of football, we talked a lot. I liked the meeting and the impression I got from the president, because I didn't know him, only from interviews, I knew he was the president of Obolon, but I talked to him and I have a good, positive impression of this man. We talked about football, he understands football, so it was a very cool meeting.
He is always shown on TV and everyone can see that he is a significant person in Ukrainian football, because he cares about the club, it's normal, it's his club.
- Have you already formed a coaching staff?
- My coaching staff includes Mykola Gibalyuk, Oleksandr Antonenko and Artem Kichak.
- Can you tell us about Mykola Hibalyuk, the assistant who joined the club with you?
- Mykola knows my ideas, my principles, we've been friends for a long time, we've played together for a long time, so I feel very comfortable with him. He is a positive person, I am very glad that he is with me.
- Today you have already held your first training session together here at Obolon Arena.
- Everything was great, the atmosphere was good, it was a very intense training session. I think the guys liked it because they came out so exhausted, but with a smile and a good mood.
- What tactical scheme do you plan to use at Obolon?
- The scheme is not important in the match, because you can adapt to the opponent and change the scheme, but in the match, actions are very important, how we will act, so what scheme we will use, we will choose specifically for the match. Polissia have always played with four defenders, but when we played with three, it was a necessary measure to rebuild, because we didn't have any defenders at all and we decided that for the last three games we would play, for example, 5-3-2. So it was a forced measure, but at Obolon we will adjust to the opponent if necessary.
- What style of football do you like ?
- You know, the style of football is like that because it can be different, because the opponent is different. We can prepare for some events, build some tactical principles on the football field, but it may not work out. That's why we have to react to events, regardless of the style.
I believe we will have our own style, I hope so, because we seem to have time, but we don't, and we need to work on it quickly with the players so that they understand my principles and ideas. The games will show what style we will have, because we cannot predict how everything will work out on the football field. There are ideas, there are thoughts, but how will it be? We will try to play in a way that the fans like, the club president likes, and the spectators saw Obolon play and said that this is a real team.
Everything is still ahead, we have quite a few challenges. I have seen Obolon's games, and there are some great moments that we will pay attention to so that they continue to be so. But we will correct certain things, because there are things we need to work on in training. So I don't think it's critical, because I promise you that we will play to the end and do everything to ensure that we have a positive result. It's normal, and I'm not afraid or worried about it, because I'm here, and if I was afraid and worried, I probably wouldn't be here.
- Judging by your previous interviews, you are a maximalist. What are your goals for this season?
- I set very big goals for myself, and today I told the players that we each have a goal that we plan and achieve, and together as a family we have to move towards these goals and achieve them. Therefore, we will set goals as high as possible, and time will tell how it turns out.
- The team has two very difficult matches ahead. "Oleksandriya, which has won every match this season, and Shakhtar Donetsk. Have you thought about these matches beforehand?
- Yes, we have, and now the team analyst will prepare data on Oleksandriya. We will start preparing for Oleksandriya tomorrow, because they are a very good team, a difficult team. And so is Shakhtar. But all games, not necessarily Shakhtar, or Dynamo, or Chornomorets, or any other team. We need to prepare very fruitfully in order to achieve results.
- In your last game in charge of Polissia, you played against Shakhtar Donetsk and won 2-0. Do you know the secret of success in the game against the Shakhtar?
- There are no secrets, because the coaches do everything in a weekly cycle. Everything is done to ensure that the team is prepared, what they want to see in the game, the goals that will be set for the game are tactical. And the players go out on the field and realize them. That's why I really rely on my players, I really believe in them. And I think a lot depends on them, the coaching staff, and the fans to support our team. So, I think it's all in the mix.
- You led Polissia to the Conference League for the first time in its history. Do you have a dream to repeat the same success here at Obolon?
- You know, when I was a player, I used to dream and set goals for myself. And step by step I achieved them. More adult dreams, and I succeeded. So as a coach, I set some goals, I have some dreams, and I believe they will come true.
- What can you say to our fans who are already looking forward to your home debut here in the mountains against Oleksandriya?
- I've often been to this stadium, seen how people cheer and support the club here. That's why I want to wish it to continue. There will be victories and defeats, but I always want them to support us, come to the stadium and cheer for us.