Honored coach of Ukraine Myron Markevych shared what he expects from the match of the 7th round of the main stage of the Europa League between Turkish "Galatasaray" and Kyiv "Dynamo", which will take place tomorrow in Istanbul.
— Myron Bohdanovych, the European cups are returning, which we all missed so much. Do you think there is a chance for "Dynamo" to please its multi-million army, if not with a victory in Istanbul, then at least with a draw and a decent game?
— There are always chances. If the Dynamo players tune into the game in a maximal fighting mood, rather than thinking about the lost chances for the Europa League playoffs, and do not make mistakes in defense, as they did in previous matches in the European arena, they should not lose, at least. That is my opinion.
— Are you not concerned that Oleksandr Shovkovskyi's team has only played friendly matches with rather mediocre teams this year, while "Galatasaray" has already played four matches in the Turkish Super League and, by the way, has not lost any? This suggests that the Turks should be in significantly better physical shape, on a roll.
— I think "Dynamo" should also be in shape; they had two weeks of training camps for a reason. It is clear that practice in official matches and in friendly ones are two different things, but there has not been so-called "spring football" for a long time, which was often complained about ten years ago. I forgot about it when I already trained "Dnipro". It's better to play football in February than to run in circles at training.
Kyivans might be a bit fresher and could outpace their opponents. And, I repeat, they must play as reliably as possible in defense.
— Personally, I am wary before the start of the second part of the season that "Dynamo" did not make any transfers in the winter. And this despite the fact that anyone who has even a little understanding of football knows that "the white-and-blues" need reinforcements. Especially in defense.
There were Slyubyk and Okon on trial with Shovkovskyi, but neither impressed him, so their contracts probably will not be signed. Well, there's a good lad from South Africa, whom hardly anyone knows, but the potential of Bohdan is well-known to everyone. Is he not suitable for "Dynamo"?
— It's a tricky question. You know, Slyubyk was very good before the injury (Bohdan was injured during a training session with "Rukh" before the start of the current season, — ed. note), one of the best central defenders in Ukraine. After the injury, he has not yet managed to return to optimal condition, in my opinion. However, he has great potential.
Why did Shovkovskyi decide to send him back to Lviv after the camps? I cannot know; that is his decision; he is the head coach. As for finding qualified defenders, of course, I agree. Someone should have been signed.
— "Dynamo" supposedly paid attention to flank defenders — Sych from "Rukh" and Krupskyi from "Vorskla", but the talks didn't go further. In your opinion, why didn't the Kyivans manage or want to sign Oleksii or Illia?
— Both guys are very good. Sych, for instance, was rightly called up to the national team of Ukraine by Rebrov. The reason they didn’t sign either of them is likely to be viewed financially. The price tag for Sych and Krupskyi, they say, was quite serious.
— The clause for the "Vorskla" defender is reportedly three million euros while his market value is only one.
— If Krupskyi continues to progress and doesn’t slow down over a couple of seasons, he will cost much more than three million euros. I am almost sure of it. The transfer of Krupskyi would be a good investment, in my opinion, but "Dynamo" has an owner (president Ihor Surkis), so he is the one to resolve such issues, not me.
— Everything is lost in the Europa League already; does this mean that "Dynamo" will focus on the UPL to regain the championship? Do you believe this?
— We will see how it all turns out, but I truly do not understand how Kyivans can not win the championship, given their current advantage (the advantage over "Oleksandriia", which is in second place in the UPL standings, is five points, and over "Shakhtar" it is ten, but the "miners" still have a game in hand, — ed. note). The only thing that worries me, I repeat, is the very weak defense of "Dynamo".
— What did you see new in "Dynamo" friendly matches during the training camps? It seems there was no transformation in the play of the "white-and-blues". They at least gave some playing time to the youth. It is clear that these are just friendly games, but if there should be no experimentation there, then where?
— I have never paid attention to the results in friendly matches. I noticed such a pattern: if a team plays well during the camps, expect misfortune in official matches.
I remember that in 2015, we with "Dnipro" lost all friendly matches, even to some German team from the fifth league, the score was 1:4, I think. And what? Two weeks later we went out to a Europa League match (1/16 final) and easily defeated "Olympiacos" (2:0), ultimately reaching the final of the Europa League.
Don't look for any rational grain in the matches at the camps. The team is preparing for the resumption of performances, they are giving loads... Camps are camps.
— Recently the internet buzzes that "Dynamo" may sell its main goalkeeper Bushchan to a club from Saudi Arabia. It is rumored to "Al-Shabab". Is it worth it or not to let Shovkovskyi and Surkis part with Heorhii considering that there is no equivalent replacement for him?
— Let the guy go, let him play. With such a transfer, "Dynamo" can both earn and give Bushchan a chance to earn. Why not? If it is a club from Saudi Arabia, then the salary there must be very good. Heorhii has played for "Dynamo" for many years and has already given his all to the Kyiv club.
As for a replacement, this is "Dynamo". They have an academy, they must prepare a replacement. Here Neshcheret has already played in European cups and for the youth national team. Honestly, I do not see a particular problem for the team if Bushchan can leave. One should relate to this calmly, especially since he is already 30 years old, not too young.
— No one is currently negotiating with Brazhko, or we simply do not know about it, but Volodymyr is currently on sick leave due to an ankle injury.
— This is indeed a significant loss for Shovkovskyi. I really like Brazhko. In my opinion, he is one of the best defensive midfielders in Ukraine overall and his absence will definitely be noticeable in the match against "Galatasaray".
— On the other hand, Yarmolenko has fully recovered from the injury. Is it advisable to field Andrii against "Galatasaray" or should he be saved for those matches where the result will really have tournament importance?
— I do not know... That's for Shovkovskyi to decide. One must understand what his actual physical condition is primarily. But, of course, Andrii is the leader of "Dynamo" and his presence on the field would not be a hindrance.
What would I do in Shovkovskyi's place? Probably, I would bring Yarmolenko on as a substitute in the second half. When Andrii was playing for "West Ham", he often came on after the break and delivered results, scoring and enhancing the game.
— This is a rhetorical or even philosophical question, but you should know the answer to it from the height of your years and considerable coaching experience. What is not right with the game of "Dynamo" overall? Well, the team does not look cohesive! In the matches of the European cups, there is sometimes the impression that the defenders are seeing each other for the first time. Is it a lack of execution skills for the Dynamo players or is Shovkovskyi unable to reach them?
— Everything is in the complex. Our championship generally takes place at medium speeds. It seems to me that often Dynamo players already know before a game in the UPL whether they will win it or lose at least. Almost all teams from Ukraine play defensively against "Dynamo", they close up, whereas in the European arena, it's altogether different. There is a completely different level of opposition, speed, class of players. This is our problem.
I understand that it is very difficult to maneuver transfers now, but Shovkovskyi needs to somehow diversify the team with at least a few quality legionnaires, two or three, then the game of "Dynamo" will shine with new colors. But I emphasize that it is really class legionnaires that must be bought, rather than those that "Polissia", LNZ, or "Karpaty" are taking. I look at them, and it's just not it... Not the right level.
— What positions do you see the need for targeted reinforcement for "Dynamo", apart from defense?
— In the midfield, a solid playmaker and a striker as a pair for Vanat because it is tough for him alone. They bought Guerrero, but his level is UPL. He is a decent striker for the Ukrainian championship, but no higher.
— Even if "Dynamo" loses to "Galatasaray", I do not think Shovkovskyi will be strongly criticized by the management. Everything is already lost for "the white-and-blues" in this tournament. What should they look for motivation in?
— The main task for Shovkovskyi, I am convinced of that, is to win the gold medals of the UPL. And these two matches in the Europa League are an excellent opportunity to prepare the team for matches in the domestic arena, for the game against "Karpaty," which will be the first in the new year for "Dynamo".
And, of course, it is necessary to try to score at least some points, and not to finish the performances in the Europa League with zero. Who wants to lose? They might well snatch points against "Galatasaray", while they must defeat the Latvian RFS.
— Prediction for the match Galatasaray - "Dynamo" from Myron Markevych.
— I think it will be a draw. Most likely, a high-scoring one.
Viktor Hlukhenkyi