The head coach of Kyiv’s Dynamo U-19 Ihor Kostiuk commented on the preparation of his team for the match against Slovenia’s Maribor in the UEFA Youth League, which will take place today in the city of Stalowa Wola.
Ihor Kostiuk— How prepared is the team for the first match against Maribor?
— We still have a theoretical session ahead, which are the final nuances that will help the team in the game. Basically, everyone is emotionally and physically ready.
— What is the squad situation a day before the game?
— Herich and Salenko cannot play for us. Herich due to regulatory norms, and Salenko due to injury. All other players are preparing for this match.
— What can you say about the opponent? How can you play against them?
— Our team has its own style that we adhere to. But, of course, certain adjustments will be made. We have a specific plan for the game, and how we perform depends on its execution. The opponent is analyzing us too, but we understand what tactics they will use, and if there are any surprises, we will react to them and adapt.
— The players of this squad lack experience in international matches at the club level. Should we have individual conversations with each player or do they understand everything themselves?
— We have certain requirements that we adhere to, there is a structure to the game, positioning on the field, principles of play. There will be nothing new for the guys. It’s a familiar game, but with greater responsibility because these are knockout matches. Moreover, about 90% of our squad has experience in international matches for the youth national teams of Ukraine, we played an international tournament in the Czech Republic with opponents during the summer. We are ready tactically, physically, and psychologically.
— Experts and journalists often say that the level of the Ukrainian championship, its intensity very much differs from European matches. Maybe our players lack the same emotionality and level of opponents in the domestic arena?
— In the Ukrainian championship, every game for us is very emotional because everyone prepares for «Dynamo» in a completely different way than against other opponents. This will be a familiar game for us in terms of motivation and attitude towards the match, but the difference will be the level of the opponent.
