Former Dynamo forward and ex-coach Maksym Shatskikh, now Pakhtakor's coach, gave an interview ahead of the White and Blues' Europa League match against Lazio.
- Maksym Oleksandrovych, what are your expectations from the Dynamo vs Lazio match ? Will you watch the match?
- Of course! I don't miss a single Dynamo game. I watch the Kyiv team's matches in both the Ukrainian league and European competitions. It will be difficult with Lazio. This is understandable. There are no weak opponents in the Europa League. "Lazio is Lazio. But it's worth noting that on the eve of the match with Dynamo, they lost to Fiorentina 1-2 in Serie A.
- Will the fact that they lost to the Violets affect the Romans in any way?
- I think they will also be highly motivated to redeem themselves in front of their fans. "Dynamo also unexpectedly drew 0-0 with Rukh. We lost two points, so to speak, in the match with the Lviv team. But it's good that we didn't lose, because Rukh had some good chances at the end of the match. But the Europa League is a different tournament. There is a different motivation, a different mood, everything is different.
- How will Kyiv play the home game in Hamburg?
- I think the stadium in Hamburg will be full today. There are a lot of Ukrainians in this city. There is a reason why this city was chosen for Dynamo's home games in the Europa League. There will be a lot of my friends at today's game. But what about the result? I am not a soothsayer. This is football. It's hard to say what will happen on the football field.
- Do you think Lazio will be different without Ciro Immobile, who joined Besiktas?
- I think so, because he played for Lazio for many years. To be honest, I thought he was in the Roman team and would finish his career. He played for Lazio for many years. But it turned out that he did move to another club. For many years, Immobile was the best goalscorer in Serie A and at Lazio. A lot was tied to him. Perhaps due to the fact that Ciro changed the team, the Romans have some problems.
- Earlier in the media Shaparenko was linked to Lazio, although later it was written that he did not want to join the Roman club. Still, do you think this will be a special match for Mykola?
- I think it will be a special match not only for him. Everyone will try to show their best! Because there are enough young guys in the team. In such international games, scouts from other teams watch the players they are interested in. That's why I think Dynamo players will be doubly motivated. And not because they want to demonstrate some of their qualities. They will come out to play for the club, for the team, for the country. The game should be interesting. "Lazio tries to combine. "Dynamo also likes to do this. Let's see who will outplay whom.
- Recall your matches for Dynamo against Lazio as a player in the Champions League in 1999/2000 (0: 1 and 1: 2) and as a coach in the 1/8 finals of the Europa League in 2018 (0: 2 and 2: 2). Still, there were different Lazio teams! The Romans were especially strong when Veron, Nedved and company played for them.
- Yes, yes, I agree! Everyone remembers those matches against Lazio. And I can say that we played on equal terms with that strong Lazio. When I was on Dynamo's coaching staff and we played against the Romans, naturally, there were big changes in the team. But the Laziale are always at the top! In Italy, they play contact, solid football. It will be interesting! The main thing is that in today's match with Lazio, Kyiv does not lose the fight. Then it will be easier for Dynamo.
- What else would you advise the Kyiv team in this match?
- Dynamo has fast players. They need to try to play on quick transitions and counterattacks. We don't know how Lazio will play. It remains to be seen whether they will play aggressively and whether they will press. The game will show. But Lazio will try to dominate.
- Do you follow the FIFA World Cup hosted by Uzbekistan?
- Yes, yes, of course! I watch the matches. As for the World Cup, I can say that we have a huge excitement. The stands are almost always full at the matches. Teams that have always been in the top confirm their status. Portugal, Argentina, Spain, and Brazil prove that they are the greats. Ukraine has beaten the Netherlands and will probably play Spain in the quarterfinals. Those who were considered favorites before the World Cup are confirming their status during this tournament. Ukraine's match with the Spaniards, who will probably beat Venezuela in the 1/8 finals (Venezuela beat Spain 2-1 - ed.), should be interesting.
- You and Pakhtakor started in the Asian Champions League. In the first match, you lost to Al Wasl (0:1), but there are still 7 rounds to go. What do you think are your chances of making it to the playoffs?
- There are always chances. We have to go to every match and do what we have to do. It is clear that it is difficult to fight with such strong opponents. But we also have a good team. That's why we need to go to every match and fight for victories. And things will happen!
Dmitry KOTKOV