Former defender of Kyiv’s Dynamo Taras Mykhalyk shared his impressions of his old team’s performance in the group stage of the Europa League, and also assessed its chances in the battle for the “gold” of the Ukrainian championship.
Taras Mykhalyk— I share the opinion of Dynamo’s management, head coach Oleksandr Shovkovskyi, who called the performance of the Kyiv team in the second most prestigious European tournament a failure. The most unpleasant thing is that throughout the tournament I could not find arguments preventing the Kyivans from earning points. Nevertheless, Dynamo is a team with a name and should have performed better. Agree, fighting to avoid the last place is not for the Kyivans. However, we have what we have. Perhaps this is our level of football.
— In your opinion, which line of the Dynamo players did not meet the requirements of the Europa League?
— Our central defenders played weakly, although I’m impressed with the actions of the young counterpart — Mykhavka. I am convinced that his efficiency would have been significantly higher if he had played alongside an experienced stopper. It was the open door at their own goal that made the Dynamo players play with a glance at their back.
— But it’s not excluded that the oldest of the stoppers — 25-year-old Denys Popov will leave the team. What then?
— It’s better to address this question to the club management. Apparently, they have a plan in case of his departure. Otherwise, it will be hard to avoid trouble.
— So, tell me, is the transfer of goalkeeper Heorhiy Bushchan to Saudi Al-Shabab a serious loss for Dynamo?
— It’s hard to give an exhaustive answer. Personally, as a fan, I felt more at ease when Bushchan was guarding the goal. Experience is experience. On the other hand, his understudy — Ruslan Neshcheret finally has a great opportunity to prove himself and become the main keeper of Dynamo for a long time.
By the way, I’m very happy for my friend Bushchan. He served the Kyivans faithfully for many years and has waited for his chance to try his luck abroad. I called Heorhiy, and he is satisfied; Al-Shabab is counting on him as a starting player. I wish him luck in the exciting Saudi Arabian championship.
— How can you explain that even the giants of Ukrainian football are not afraid to sell their key players in the midst of the season?
— Of course, you need to be inside the teams to have exhaustive information. It's not excluded that in the current military situation, even the owners of the best Ukrainian clubs are finding it increasingly difficult to make ends meet, and they are forced to sell their leaders, although this may negatively affect the performance of the giants in the spring part of the UPL championship.
— Then what do you expect from Dynamo at the finish of the season?
— If the Kyivans do not have personnel losses, they won’t miss what is theirs. Although it will be difficult because they have several problematic positions that require strengthening.
Andrii Pisarenko
