The former goalkeeper of Arsenal, Tavriya, and Metalist Serhiy Pohorilyi — about the match Roma — Dynamo (1:0) in the Europa League.
— The starting lineup of Kyiv Dynamo with three central defenders was probably not expected by anyone. What about you?
— Of course. Personally, the choice of Oleksandr Shovkovskyi came as a great surprise to me. I initially thought that some of the main players had injuries or issues, but when they started coming on as substitutes in the second half, everything became clear. That scheme with three central defenders for Dynamo players was something new. I can’t remember when they last played in such a formation.
— Dynamo had a game in Rome with 65 thousand spectators, but the coaching staff of our team probably sacrificed this match in favor of the Ukrainian classic against Shakhtar. Has something similar happened before?
— I can't recall. European cup matches have always been valued more, they were prepared for carefully and wanted to show their maximum. In this game, from the first to the 39th minute, the initiative belonged to the Romans. They played at home and started this meeting powerfully. Although to say that Neshcheret was always under pressure while working — you can't say that. For me, the result of this match could have been quite different. Dynamo could have drawn or even won. The best moments to score were with Tymchyk and Guerrero.
— The Italian press has been writing all week that clouds are gathering over head coach Ivan Yurich. After failures in the games against Dynamo and Fiorentina, he will be dismissed. How would you assess Roma's performance in this match?
— It seemed to me that Roma's players were not playing for their coach. Due to “can’t do” they didn’t run in one situation or another. Yes, the hosts won, but that’s it. As for the Dynamo players, they left their motivation for Sunday when they meet Shakhtar. I think Kyiv Dynamo really wants to win the Ukrainian championship.
— As it turned out, the decisive moment of the match occurred in the 22nd minute when young Taras Mykhavko tugged at the opponent's shirt in his own penalty area. Is this just a lack of experience on Mykhavko's part?
— For me, he is still a child. He hasn’t become a true master yet. A few successful matches in the Champions League qualifiers this summer do not allow us to say that Mykhavko is already a mature player. Journalists and experts have already hyped him up — here is a master. But that’s not the case yet. In that episode, the Roma player burst into the penalty area, and pulling him by the shirt… There were still our players in front of the Italian footballer; he wouldn’t have done anything there. For Mykhavko, this episode will be a lesson. I am sure he has not played in such an atmosphere, in such stadiums, when there are 65 thousand spectators in the stands. But it’s not right to blame him entirely.
— In this match, the Dynamo players struck twice on target for the first time, let us recall that in the matches against Lazio and Hoffenheim there was not even close to that…
— That’s true, but even so, the Dynamo players played toothlessly in attack. The starting lineup lacked many key players, and without them, it was very hard to create something. The ball practically didn’t stay on the opponent’s half of the field with our guys. I believe goalkeeper Neshcheret made more passes in the first half than the central midfielders and forwards combined.
— Did you enjoy the match between Roma and Kyiv Dynamo?
— Not really. It didn’t resemble a Europa League game. I saw real tension and battle in the Champions League qualifying matches when Dynamo played against Partizan and Glasgow Rangers. That’s where the thrill, the desire to win was present.
— Which of the Ukrainian teams will be the first to win in Europe — Dynamo or Shakhtar?
— I think Dynamo. The Kyiv team will host Ferencváros in the next match, and that’s where we will already expect a victory for the Kyiv team.
— Next Sunday in Kyiv, Dynamo will host Shakhtar in the 11th round of the UPL. Who is the favorite of this meeting?
— If the Dynamo players approach this game with maximum motivation and dedication, they will win the classic. However, if Oleksandr Shovkovskyi's team plays like in Rome, then the match between Dynamo and Shakhtar will end in a draw.