On Sunday, April 27, in the match of the 26th round of the Ukrainian championship, Kyiv’s «Dynamo» played a draw with Donetsk’s «Shakhtar» with a score of 2:2. The match took place in Lviv at the «Arena Lviv» stadium. We present to your attention the post-match press conference of the head coach of the capital team Alexander Shovkovskiy.
— First of all, I congratulate all Ukrainian fans on a classic derby. Yesterday we watched the match between «Real» and «Barcelona», and I think the fans enjoyed this game. I believe they also enjoyed today: fans like when there is such intensity on the football field.
I want to say right away that although today was a principled match, the players of both teams conducted it quite correctly. Yes, there were certain moments, but this was a principled meeting of principled rivals. Such duels only decorate Ukrainian football and provide motivation, strength to work further.
As for the match itself, there were two completely different halves. The game is influenced by confidence, which we immediately gave the opponent in the first half due to our gross mistakes that defenders of a team like Kyiv’s «Dynamo» have no right to make. These mistakes greatly affected our actions, our confidence.
During the break, there was a conversation in our dressing room. I voiced certain remarks and told the team: I am not interested in the final score, which will be; I want to see 11 men who want to prove the randomness of what happened in the first half and do everything possible to change the events of the match and the score on the scoreboard. To prove with their desire, actions on the football field considering the adjustments we made.
After the match, I thanked the players for their attitude in the second half and emphasized that from the very beginning of the match we should act as we did from the very beginning of the second half.
Alexander Shovkovskiy. Photo — Yu. Yuriev— What was the decisive factor in the transformation of the team after the break? Who gave the players a «wake-up call» that they were reborn in the second half?
— Themselves, first of all. Second: the remarks we made. And, of course, the goals and tasks that the team has been facing since the beginning of the season. If we want to achieve these goals, we must prove this both in training and in matches. Today there were indeed two completely different halves. But for character, I give the team 10 out of 10.
— «Dynamo» and «Sheriff» are the only teams that have not lost at all in their championships this season. How important is it for you to go through the whole championship without defeats?
— There is a main task for the season, there is a main goal, and we are moving towards it. How thorny this journey will be is the second question. If you remember, I have already said more than once that for me the most important game is the next one. This is how we prepare every time.
I tell the players the following. The story that has already been written will remain forever in the book of Ukrainian football. It is only necessary to track what you have done to achieve your goals. Then you will develop as an individual, raise your level of skill, and the level of the team will grow and become stronger.
As for how much and what will happen, it doesn’t matter: only the goal set for the season matters.
— Will there be reinforcement for «Dynamo» next season?
— Let’s talk today directly about the classic derby. And we will form plans for next season after the current season ends.
— If «Dynamo» had won today, it would have deprived «Shakhtar» of chances for the championship. Did this influence the team?
— Speaking about the moment before the match, a draw is certainly not the result we were counting on. But if we rely on the course of the game, then after the first half, a draw is not a bad result. This situation can be viewed differently.
— Were you surprised by «Shakhtar» with their approach to their game in the second half?
— The team plays as the opponent allows them to. In the first half, we gave the opponent confidence. Mistakes played a significant role. After the break, we did everything possible to change this situation, and I can say that I am satisfied with the actions of our players in the second half.
— Ahead of you is another match with «Shakhtar» — in the final of the Ukrainian Cup. Can we say that today was a rehearsal?
— I will think about this match when it is awaiting us directly. For now, we will prepare for the upcoming game.
But such matches are always interesting, especially if it’s the final of the Ukrainian Cup.
The post-match press conference of the head coach of «Shakhtar» Marino Pusic.
Alexander POPOV from the stadium «Arena Lviv»
