The former striker of Kyiv "Dynamo" Oleg Salenko shared what he expects from today’s match of his old team against the Spanish "Real Sociedad" in the 6th round of the main stage of the Europa League.
— Oleg, even the most devoted fans of "Dynamo" have already buried Oleksandr Shovkovskyi's team in this year’s Europa League. This is understandable, considering the results — five losses in five matches. In your opinion, is there a chance for a positive result in San Sebastián, or will the "white-blues" again go home on their shields?
— The favorites of this match, of course, are the Spaniards. "Real Sociedad" is only focused on victory because this team has been built for almost a decade aiming to win some significant trophy. The Europa League, for example.
Can "Dynamo" finally avoid losing? Maybe. At least, I hope so.
— Describe "Real Sociedad".
— Before this rise, their reaching the main stage of the Europa League is already a success, they had been at it for three or four seasons. That is, this is a club and a team that knows how to wait. They currently have a balanced squad, where no leading players are planned to be sold.
From what I read in the Spanish media, this year their goal is to win the Europa League. The club from San Sebastián does not splurge on money. Because they don’t have much of it, first of all, and secondly, you should know that in the Basque Country, they rely on their players. This is a long-term process. And this "Real Sociedad" is probably the best in the last ten years for sure.
— How can "Dynamo" avoid losing? Pure luck? A penalty in the 95th minute with a score of 0:0 or 1:0 in favor of the hosts?
— Perhaps due to the scheme that Shovkovskyi is currently practicing in defense, using three central defenders. However, I would like one of them to push more into the anchor zone. It’s not worth playing like that against "Sociedad," as "Dynamo's" defensive problems are significant. They are noticeable in UPL matches, and in the Europa League... Everyone sees everything. The teams there (in Europe) are better prepared than we are, stronger.
How can "Dynamo" avoid losing? Vanat scores in UPL, sometimes even two goals per game, but in European competitions, nothing happens...
— Should we hope for a breakout from Vanat? Maybe. After all, you are a former prolific striker and should know the answer to this question. Why so? Why is Vladislav "silent" in Europe? Is his level of execution not sufficient?
— The problem is not with Vanat, but with the whole team. In Ukraine, Vladislav plays against mainly weak defenders, they let him play. At the level of the Europa League, they will not allow him to do that. There, everything needs to be done quickly, technically. I do not see the required speed from Vanat in the Europa League so far...
— We shouldn’t advise Shovkovskyi, but... How, in your opinion, should "Dynamo" play so that I would have the opportunity to open a bottle of Chacoli (wine from the Basque Country) after the match?
— A strong central defense, a solid midfield, we sit back and wait. We have wingers who run here and there, and there’s Vanat, who can break away in counterattacks and score. Only that way.
— Everything sounds rather bleak.
— What did you expect? The Europa League is everything. Everything has been lost there, to be precise.
Now Shovkovskyi slowly needs to integrate youth into the team. Right now, because in the summer many veterans who do not have regular playing time will be sold or given away. That’s for sure.
After the winter break, we need to gradually infuse young blood into the squad. We need to start building a team for the future. Despite the fact that this season, Shovkovskyi’s only task is gold in the UPL.
I recall the words of Lobanovskyi, he said: a team cannot be built in one season. It takes at least two or three cycles. But it needs to be built persistently, not just that today one came, tomorrow a third, and so on. Take the foundation, and tell the boys — you are here for three or four years, for sure. That’s it. And work.
— Is there faith in Shovkovskyi's coaching genius?
— It’s a complex question. He has his ideas, and the Dynamo leadership believes in him, I know this for sure. Sasha already has tasks that go beyond just this season. In spring, he must win UPL gold, and in the next season reach the main stage of the Champions League. If he fails to do so, then I think the trust credit will run out.
— For such goals, serious reinforcement is needed: both in winter and even more so in summer.
— There are players, overall. However, a good defender is definitely needed, because the one we took... Perpetually in the infirmary, went out for a game or two, scored a goal, and that’s it (referring to Brian Sebalyos — ed.). And another good forward is needed. Vanat alone can't always carry the team. We need rotation. Eduardo Guerrero was bought, but he hasn’t integrated into the collective; he doesn’t fit our team.
— I remember poorly how you played for "Dynamo" due to age, but now another stocky guy with the surname Salenko is on the horizon — your son Roman. Are you already proud that giving the lad to football was not in vain?
— Of course. It wasn’t in vain as I personally trained him as well. Now he has regained form after an injury, and I’ll tell you this — the next six months will be crucial for him in many ways. The true start of an adult career. I hope Roma will indeed be a reinforcement for "Dynamo." He can play as an anchor and behind the attackers (central midfielder — ed.). Almost anywhere in the middle of the field. A universal player.
— Is it not easy for Roman to break into the main team, let alone the starting lineup, considering that currently in the center of the "white-blues" play Shaparenko, Buialskyi, Andriievskyi, Pikhalionok, Rubchynskyi, Shepelev?
— He will definitely impose competition. Moreover, Andriievskyi will be given away, as far as I know. Competition will decrease. Shaparenko may be sold, but only not for the money they are asking for him.
— Or maybe it would be better to send Roman on loan? To a conditional "Zorya" for a season. He would gain some bruises and experience.
— The current season will finish — we’ll see. Roma can't play for "Dynamo U-19" anymore. This question will need to be resolved at the level of coaches and club management.
— You played a lot in Spain. I rummaged through the archives, and it turns out that you scored against "Real Sociedad" twice. Once as part of "Valencia," the other — defending the colors of "Logroñés." Do you remember those goals?
— For "Logroñés," yes. We played in San Sebastián and were losing 0:2, but first I made an assist, then earned a penalty, and scored it myself. And for "Valencia"... Well, I can’t really recall.
— Can you predict the result of the game between "Real Sociedad" and "Dynamo"?
— I don’t like to give predictions against Dynamo, so I’ll say it will be a 0:0 draw.
Oleksandr Pupchenko