Leonid Buryak: “Most often we celebrated Valeriy Lobanovskyi’s birthday on the road”

The former football player and coach of Kyiv “Dynamo” remembered Valeriy Lobanovskyi on the day of the Coach’s memory.

— We worked a lot together, won many titles. It was a completely different time then. I feel that he is greatly missed — both by the family and us, the specialists. He was ahead of his time. When we were at a training camp in Italy, renowned coaches, including Ancelotti, sat and took notes, eager to hear advice. Lobanovskyi was a conservative — we either won 1:0 and finished, or won 6:0 — there were no other options. He had a special tactic, a sharp mind, and he knew well whom to include in the squad and whom not.

Despite the fact that so many years have passed, and many people still gather on his memorials to remember him — this is very good. It is especially pleasant that children who are interested in the club's history were here. Lobanovskyi. I wanted to tell them to grow up faster, because they are the future of Ukrainian football. It's a pity they did not see how Muntian or Blokhin played, as this could have been a great example for them.

There will be a lot of work ahead in all areas and in football in particular in Ukraine. Moreover, we are not talking about some ordinary club but about Kyiv “Dynamo.” I don’t believe the rumors; I think the club will continue to work, we will put everything in order and move forward.

— Do you remember how Valeriy Vasylovych celebrated his birthday? Usually, at that time, the team was at training camps?

— Usually, we flew to Sochi on the morning of January 6 — and then we started working. In the evening, the coaches gathered in Lobanovskyi’s room. In general, we often spent January 6 on the road.