Andriy Yarmolenko: "I don’t have any crown on my head"

Midfielder of Kyiv’s "Dynamo" Andriy Yarmolenko commented in the broadcaster’s stream on the result of the match against "Left Bank" in the Ukrainian championship.

Andriy Yarmolenko

What did your celebration of the goal mean? Is it too early to send you into retirement?

— You will all find out about retirement when I decide. Here… I’m just joking with the guys because there are many young players in the team. And people might sometimes think that I look like a grandpa against their backdrop. That’s why I celebrated that way.

Your video from Lviv has already gone viral…

— And you decided to poke fun at me? (Sighs.) Well, then I will explain, because many people have written to me over three days. Our young generation should respect their elders. That’s how I was raised, and that’s how I raise my children, regardless of status and financial situation. Children should respect their elders. And I don’t have any crown on my head. And I did not want to offend the child.

Did the goal result from a practiced combination?

— Vitaliy gave a good pass to Vlad, and he well set it up — I only had to shoot from 11 meters. Such chances need to be converted.

How do you feel after the collision when you were "hit" in the muscle?

— Nothing, all good. This is football.

Was it easier after Dynamo’s first goal?

— Of course. In games like this, where the opponent defends tightly and it’s hard to create chances, each of them must be used. You score — and they start to open up, it gets easier. Basically, that’s what happened. Especially after the quick second goal after the break.

What were you discussing in the game with Karavaev?

— Politics, business… (Laughs.) Of course, we discuss the game. He gives me tips, I give him — normal work moments. We are working towards one goal, our task is to win. We have been playing together for a long time and understand each other.