The head coach of Kyiv’s Dynamo Olexandr Shovkovskyi summed up the results of the capital team’s match against Zhytomyr’s Polissia (2:1) in the 13th round of the Ukrainian championship on UPL TV.
— The schedule is tough for us, we lacked emotions today. There was also no full recovery. We understood perfectly well that we wouldn’t have much freshness, and we knew that Polissia, which had prepared for this game for a week, would look fresher than us. Especially at the end of the match. Therefore, we built our game structure in such a way that, especially in the first minutes, we could compactly rebuild and find a chance in a counterattack, having players with good technique.
Basically, that’s how it happened. We scored the first goal, then the second. We started the second half already having a numerical advantage and clearly understood that we needed to maintain this advantage. But I saw that we lacked strength. So, first of all, the result is very important for us in this match, especially after the disappointing defeat and 75 minutes with a numerical disadvantage. I am satisfied with the result. This is very important for us in this situation, and we understand it.
— There was a story with a penalty. Who was actually supposed to take it?
— You know, I never interfere in this. The players should decide among themselves who will take the penalty kick. Whoever feels better, who has experience and confidence, takes it. I will not take this responsibility. We have 4-5 players who can take the penalty.
— You didn’t even watch how Yarmolenko took it…
— I never watch how my team takes penalties. Even from those times when I played. It was only different once, in the Super Cup match. Then I just followed how Lashchuk acted because I felt I would have to take it too.
— And you don’t watch for luck?
— I just don’t watch. That’s how it turned out.
— There will be a break in the championship now. What are your plans?
— First of all, we need to rest. Three days off for the players who remain at our disposal. They need to spend it with their families, with friends, without thinking about football. And then, of course, we will work on the aspects that need improvement. Because we will have a very busy period — seven or eight matches.
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