The head coach of the amateur club «Lisne» Oleksandr Rozhon spoke about his use of renowned veterans from Kyiv’s «Dynamo» and the national team of Ukraine — Serhiy Rybalko, Denys Oliynyk, and Denys Hryvnak.
Denys Hryvnak (left) in a match for «Lisne». Photo — FC «Lisne»— Big names have joined your team. Who among them is just maintaining form, and who can you count on in the spring part of the season and further competitions?
— Generally, the signing of newcomers is handled by our sports director Viktor Zelinsky. I only say whether such a player fits in terms of strengthening the team or not. Therefore, for now, while the negotiation process is ongoing and the registration hasn’t started yet, I can’t tell you definitively. But I can say that Nasонов and Shestakov from LNZ will join our club alongside Rybalko, with whom they played in Cherkasy. Hryvnak from «Metalist 1925» has also given a principal agreement to play for our team.
There are nuances regarding Oliynyk, but Denys played for us with pleasure and we saw his high class, so we hope to work together. As for the wing-back from «Zoria» Holovkin, he went to Turkey for training with «Kolos-2» (he has a current contract with a professional club, the amateur club cannot loan him from a legal standpoint).
— What is the personal motivation for Ukraine’s champions and participants in the final stages of Euro — to play for an amateur team?
— I think it’s not a matter of money — especially since their salaries are by no means astronomical. Rybalko, Hryvnak, and other experienced players on our team simply love football and want to continue playing for enjoyment, without the pressure that exists in higher leagues among professionals. At training, they all give their all and set an example for the younger players on the field.
— You are a young coach. Is working with former «Dynamo» and national team players a heavy burden or a great reward for you?
— At first, I thought it would be tough, but it turned out the opposite — our star newcomers Hryvnak and Oliynyk provide an example of professionalism. My task here is not to interfere. (Smiling). All our newcomers are great; I’d say the same about Nasонов and Shestakov.
— Lucescu placed Hryvnak in the attack at «Dynamo». Do you agree with Mircea, or did you use Denys's talent completely differently?
— He plays in midfield for us; however, I admit, during the Makarov Memorial, I also utilized Hryvnak's ability to play in attack. (Smiling). Denys supports the attack well, depending on its direction. He is a very experienced player; along with Rybalko, they contributed a lot in the middle of the field. There is a lot of skill next to him.
— How did your team come together?
— I took over when Viktor Zelinsky had already gathered the core squad. Then I brought in a few of my best students from the «Champion» sports school, some of whom immediately started playing for FC «Lisne». Gradually, we added new players, strengthened specific positions, and arrived at the current squad. We conducted the selection ourselves, of course. However, our experienced newcomers also spoke well of our club and team. Ultimately, based on their recommendations, other good players came to us.
— If Rybalko and Hryvnak advise you right now, hypothetically, about Khacheridi, will you look for a spot in the squad?
— Currently, we are fully staffed, thank you. (Smiling). It’s better for the younger generation to enter football.
— What goals does the team have for the spring part of the season?
— Maximum goals: both in the Kyiv Championship, where we are two points behind the leader and will play our role in the second round, and in the regional cup, where in the 1/4 finals our opponent is the semi-finalist of the Ukrainian Cup among amateurs «Denhoff». We haven’t defeated them yet, just like «Shturm». We have a very strong regional championship. The top four — «Kalynivka», us, «Denhoff», and «Polissia» (Stavky) — are all teams of the same level, and judging by the opponents, of decent quality.
— Alright, the 2024/25 season will end. What’s next?
— We are currently going through certification to obtain the status of a participant in the Second League 2025/26. Just before our conversation, I sent another batch of necessary documents to the committee’s email. The club is constantly working, and based on the dynamics I see and hear, there are great hopes that we will gain professional status.
Artyom Valerko
