Former forward of the Ukrainian national team Ivan Ketsko talked about what hindered Kyiv "Dynamo" and Donetsk "Shakhtar" from showing themselves on the international club stage this season.
Ivan Ketsko— Of course, all Ukrainian fans expected more from our representatives in European cups. I agree, there were also objective reasons. Unlike their competitors, due to Russian aggression, they were forced to play home matches abroad, which affects the logistics problems that negatively influence the training process and recovery, and it is difficult to invite qualified legionnaires.
Still, Ukrainian clubs too often find themselves in the role of punching bags. Moreover, the defeats of the "miners" and "Dynamo" in the last round, respectively, from "Bayern" and "Real Sociedad" could have been with an even more devastating score. It's sad.
— How do you explain that?
— First of all, the players from whom this was expected did not cope with the role of leaders. We are talking about "miner" Georgiy Sudakov and Dynamo player Mykola Shaparenko. However, why our clubs have been losing momentum with each round is better to ask their coaches. They are responsible for the result.
— Well, the situation with the leaders has become clearer, but which positions do you have the most complaints about the players?
— They say show me your midfield and I can immediately predict your prospects. I would say it a little differently: order on the field begins with defense. So, the center of defense of "Shakhtar" and "Dynamo" is the weakest link. However, there are many questions for the forwards of these teams as well. Their training level is enough to score occasionally in the UPL, but European cups are something completely different, here they are invisible.
Andriy Pisarenko
