Ex-player of the Kyiv team and now head coach of Podillya Sergey Kovalev shared his thoughts on the match of Dynamo against Ferencváros in the Europa League and the upcoming match against Zhytomyr’s Polissya in the Ukrainian championship.
Sergey Kovalev— In this regard, I would like to mention four factors, — he says. — When we talk about our weak championship and how we lose in European cups, Ferencváros does not claim similar things regarding the Hungarian championship. However, our Hungarians said that it is stronger. Even during the war. This is the first factor. The second factor is Bogdan Barzhko's interview, who said before the match with Ferencváros that it would be very competitive.
In my opinion, it should also be added: the fight that needs to be won. Because, unfortunately, we again conceded goals from second balls, where we could block the shots. Barzhko himself could have tried to tackle during the first goal. The third factor is the specifics of discussing the game. This is not criticism, but constructive. One can always find good moments to achieve a positive result in one game or another.
The fourth factor is related to my considerations about this game with the Hungarian team. I have already said that after Dubinchak's red card, Dynamo played quite well, and in the first half could have scored goals. As for the second half, I understood that in such a situation, everything should be determined by the coaching staff after the break. After all, Ferencváros’ coach Pascal Jansen saw and understood the peculiarities of the game after his team gained numerical superiority. The Hungarian players thought that Dynamo would start losing and would not attack.
So, the head coach of Ferencváros could not influence the actions of his players in the first half of the match. There was some relaxation. At halftime, as I said, it is very important how the coaches will work. And we saw how Jansen, who has experience as an assistant coach for Feyenoord's Arne Slot, who is now working at Liverpool, made decisions in such a situation.
At the same time, Alexander Shovkovskiy and his coaching staff have no European experience at all. Plus, the aforementioned red card. During the halftime of the match, it was necessary to emphasize that if Ferencváros played not so tightly in the first half, then such a thing should not be expected in the second. Consequently, the Hungarians began to play more reliably, taking the ball away. Unfortunately, the Dynamo players started to make mistakes, and as Shovkovskiy said, after the second goal, they fell apart.
— How would you explain Dynamo's unsuccessful start in the Europa League?
— One can talk about various factors — about the war and logistics. But I think it is necessary to take into account what I mentioned — the experience of the coaching staff. I mean independent work. When it comes to European battles, it was completely absent. After all, the Ukrainian championship and the national cup are one thing, while the Champions League or the Europa League is completely different. In club tournaments, the intensity, the mindset, and the opponents are all completely different. It is clear that in order to look decent in Europe, the coaching staff needs to gain experience.
But anyway, at this stage, the Ukrainian championship is important for Dynamo.
— As soon as experienced veteran Andriy Yarmolenko was sidelined, it turned out that Dynamo clearly lacks a true leader who could lead his teammates. Do you think this is also a problem?
— You are right: Yarmolenko is an experienced player, and he could have brought solidity and calmness to the team’s gameplay. However, he is injured, and other players must take on leadership roles. Both Shaparenko and Barzhko allow themselves a lot in conversations. As soon as the referee whistles, they start appealing to him for one reason or another. They need to play football, regain possession, and fight. In this regard, I recall my playing career: during Valeriy Lobanovskyi's time at Dynamo, such behavior would never have happened. If a player spoke to the referee at all, he wouldn’t play after that.
— Recently, there has been a gradual rejuvenation in the current Dynamo team, particularly in the defensive line. What do you think most affects their European performances — lack of experience, lack of concentration, or indifference to the result?
— You know, fans can forgive everything except indifference. Young Dynamo players seem to be trying, but just trying is not enough. Experience, skill, and the ability to play through "not being able to" are needed. Plus, team actions are very important. I want to say that for all those who care about the fate of Dynamo and Ukrainian football, it would be desirable for there to be less talk and publications about this or that young player. Each of them needs to play, needs to try, and give their all on the football field. Especially during the war. Yes, they may lack sufficient skill and experience, as it is only being gained, but effort and dedication should come above all else.
However, this concerns not only Dynamo's youth but all players without exception, as well as members of the coaching staff. It is necessary to work and calmly react to constructive criticism. After all, there is constructiveness in any criticism, and the team should take everything they need from this. There is no point in being offended, as everything must be shown on the football field. And show it in such a way that there is no room for criticism. At the same time, I would like to note the following. In my opinion, it is very difficult for Dynamo to chase three hares. Therefore, it is necessary to determine priorities. It seems to me that the Ukrainian championship is more important.
— I would like to move on to the internal arena, where Dynamo is awaiting an important game against Zhytomyr's Polissya on Sunday. How do you think Alexander Shovkovskiy will motivate his players for this match? Is rotation expected?
— Do you remember the match with Roma, when there was a significant rotation? It took place before the Ukrainian classic — the match between Dynamo and Shakhtar. It is clear that Shovkovskiy was then thinking more about the game with the miners, betting on it. But before the red card for Krytskiy, Shakhtar was dominating. Now Polissya has a chance to take points from Dynamo. Why? Firstly, there is a good team in Zhytomyr, secondly, unlike Dynamo, they have prepared for this match for a week, and thirdly, the psychological state of Dynamo's players may not be the best right now.
And finally, I would advise coaches and players to read less of what the media writes. Not only when you lose but also after winning matches. This is very important. After all, publications in the press—whether they’re about some advances or praises directed at the players—have a very negative effect. Take young Mikhayvko, for example. It is clear that he is a good player, and I hope that his skills continue to grow. But right now, he is under significant psychological pressure. There is a lot written about him, can this young guy handle all of it? I am sure that agents write a lot as well. When we read that Mikhayvko or Shaparenko is moving somewhere, we understand that it’s an information leak. Such things confuse players, and it becomes difficult for coaches to manage them.
Andrey Pisarenko
