Dynamo U-19 defender Vladislav Zakharchenko talked about preparing for the UEFA Youth League match against Italian Atalanta.
Vladislav Zakharchenko. Photo: fcdynamo.com— The mood is wonderful, I am ready to play. We trained today, tomorrow is the last friendly before the game with Atalanta in the UEFA Youth League. We need to check our strength, how prepared we are.
— If we take it in percentages, how ready is the team and you personally for the first official match of this year?
— About 95 percent. Tomorrow we will add the final touch — and there will be a hundred percent readiness.
— At the beginning of the camp, there was a regime of two training sessions a day, now you are already working in a single session mode. How do you like this intensity?
— I can’t say whether I like it or not. Everyone understands that it is necessary for our physical conditioning and tactical skills to be at the proper level. That’s why we are obliged to train twice a day. Now the load is being reduced so that we have enough strength for the upcoming game.
— What specific things did you work on the most in today’s training?
— At first, we worked on tactical moments, after which we simply shot at the goal, so as not to expend too much energy before the friendly match and to come out fresh on the field tomorrow.
— You were included in the squad for the Europa League match against RFSh. What is the main difference between being in the first team and the youth team? Have you managed to feel "adult" football during this time?
— Of course, it's a very interesting and useful experience, everyone wants to get into the first team, to try their strength against the first team. It is immediately noticeable that all the players there are of high level, professionals — I liked it very much.
— What is the main lesson you have learned for yourself?
— You need to keep working to secure a place there forever and show on the field what you can do.
