A day before today’s match of the 5th round of the main stage of the Europa League between Kyiv’s «Dynamo» and Czech «Victoria» in Hamburg, a mandatory pre-match press conference was held with the head coach of the nominal guests of this meeting, Miroslav Koubek.
Miroslav Koubek— Do you see the importance of tomorrow’s game in the sense that, achieving a positive result, you can make a big step towards advancing to the next stage of the Europa League?
— For now, we still have four games ahead. If we take into account the fact that after the match with «Dynamo» we will have three very strong opponents, we need to be completely focused on the upcoming game.
But «Dynamo» will also be solving its own tasks. The team currently has not a single point in this tournament, and it will want to change that in the match against us.
Now we have six points, and we need to work to earn more. But at the moment, this is a good starting position for this stage of the tournament.
— What do you see as the strongest side of «Dynamo»?
— This is a team made up of mobile and dynamic players. The speed component of the team is very good. This is also related to the transition to attack and the ability to play intensive football. This is a good team. The fact that «Dynamo» does not have results in Europe is due to the fact that they had a very tough draw.
Under no circumstances should we underestimate this opponent. Kyiv’s «Dynamo» is and will always be a European brand with its own quality.
— Do you consider yourself a favorite in the match against «Dynamo»?
— We’re playing away, which is always more difficult, and we are playing against a quality team. Of course, we know that we also have our qualities, but in such cases I always say that the chances are fifty-fifty.
— During your playing career, «Dynamo» was indeed a major European brand. How did you perceive this team back then?
— It was a great era. «Dynamo» won the Cup Winners’ Cup twice and played excellent football, which was a pleasure to watch.
