On Sunday, November 3, in the match of the 12th round of the Ukrainian championship, Kyiv “Dynamo” defeated “Inhulets” from Petrove with a score of 5:2. The match took place in Kyiv at the “Dynamo” stadium named after Valeriy Lobanovskyi. We present to your attention the post-match press conference of the head coach of the capital team, Oleksandr Shovkovskyi.
— I congratulate all the fans of our team on the victory. Despite the score, it was a tough game.
Considering that last Wednesday we played 120 minutes in the cup match against “Vorskla”, and two days before that we played against “Shakhtar”, I gave the whole day off to the team to allow the guys to rest a bit and recharge their emotions.
We prepared the team for today’s match, understanding how the opponent would play. We expected a lot of struggle. We also understood that set pieces were one of those elements that “Inhulets” would focus on. And it was precisely in this aspect that we didn’t work effectively today.
I am mostly satisfied with the team's actions in attack: they implemented our plans, and the players made correct decisions. We could have scored even more goals.
— Today your team's defense didn’t look very solid. What is the reason?
— I won’t answer your question right away. But I agree with you that we had certain problems today. There is something for the coaching staff to think about. And, of course, for the players.
— Own goals by Mikhaikov have become some sort of anomaly.
— Leave him alone! I am satisfied with his performance in today’s match in terms of game organization, and how he executed his first pass. He probably needs to go through these trials. Ask me questions, but don’t touch the guy. An own goal isn’t a problem for me at all if we score five goals.
Oleksandr Shovkovskyi. Photo — Yu. Yuriev— What is the situation with the injured players?
Oleksandr Pykhalenok is gradually starting his work, but he has an unpleasant injury - a calf muscle strain. I know from experience how challenging this injury is in terms of recovery and how careful one needs to be to endure a certain recovery time. Oleksandr is just at the beginning of this process.
Popov is just about to start training with the main group, but I am currently considering whether it makes sense to take him with me to Hamburg for the match against “Ferencvaros.” He is not ready, he has missed a lot, and he has certain back issues. He also finds it difficult to cope with all these travels. Perhaps, Popov will stay in Kyiv to prepare individually for the next match.
Yarmolenko has returned. Fortunately, Shaparenko has no complications after the cuts he sustained. He played quite a good match today, although there are moments where he needs to focus his attention. In attack, he, like the whole team, performed much better than in defensive actions.
— 5:2 is a good result, or would it be better to win with a score of, for example, 2:0?
— A victory is always a victory. Of course, I always want to play without conceding and score as many goals as possible. But the opponent’s team also has its goals for the match and tries to achieve them. Honestly, I have mixed feelings about this victory. On one hand, I am satisfied, on the other - not really.
Post-match press conference of the head coach of “Inhulets” Vasily Kobin
Oleksandr POPOV from the stadium “Dynamo” named after Valeriy Lobanovskyi
