On October 24, the players of ‘Dynamo’ will play their third match of the main round of the UEFA Europa League—against ‘Roma’. Former player of the national team of Ukraine and ‘Dynamo’, Vitaliy Kosovsky, shared what could help the Kyiv team achieve a positive result in Italy today:
— It’s time for Dynamo to earn their first points in the UEFA Europa League. I understand that the next opponent represents a top league, with a quality selection of players; moreover, almost all experts are on the side of the “citizens”, however, I feel optimistic and believe in the Kyiv team.
— Then on what basis can the guests compete with the ambitious ‘Roma’?
— I liked the actions of the “citizens” in their last match in Serie A—against the renowned “Inter”. I think that today the Romans, supported by their fans, will be focused on attack and will have territorial advantage. The guests need to be prepared for this. I am convinced that Dynamo should choose a strict play as the second number and a 4−1−4−1 scheme, and in case of losing the ball, Mykola Shaparenko should also drop into the defensive zone. First of all, the Kyiv team needs to be maximally focused, avoiding annoying mistakes near their penalty area. ‘Roma’ can punish this immediately. In my opinion, it is important to hold on in the first half, and after the break try to surprise the hosts with their “trump cards” in the opponent's half of the field.
— The interest in today’s confrontation is fueled by the participation in it of the ‘Roma’ lineup’s forward, national team of Ukraine Artem Dovbik. What would you advise the Kyiv defenders in their battle against this grenadier?
— In my opinion, nobody will personally mark Artem. Our stoppers will pay attention to him when he finds himself in their zones. It is important that everything is in order with backup. Since Dovbik will act high up, care needs to be taken when he moves, so that his teammates do not invade the free spaces. Here, our players who are responsible for the defensive zone should be on guard. Compactness, courage, and skilled tackling should complicate the plans of the Romans.
— Will the fact that in a few days Dynamo has an important confrontation with ‘Shakhtar’ in the UPL somehow affect their actions in Rome?
— No, I am convinced that they will focus only on the confrontation with ‘Roma’. Unless, depending on the score, coach Oleksandr Shovkovskyi may make substitutions in the second half to preserve key players for the match against the “miners”. But I think it won’t come to that because Dynamo will be maximally motivated to make up for lost time in the UEFA Europa League today.