Well-known Ukrainian coach Oleh Fedorchuk summarized the past month in the Ukrainian championship.
Oleh Fedorchuk— The best team of April?
— If I do not call "Dynamo", then 60% of Ukrainian fans will say that I am crazy. Undoubtedly, the best team of the month is "Dynamo". They demonstrate quality football under great pressure and looked good in all key games. I will also note the stability of Oleksandriia, Kolos’s progress, and Karpaty show interesting football at times.
— The most disappointing team of April?
— Disappointment number 1 is LNZ. They have good financial capabilities and a colossal experience of the coaching staff. Therefore, it is strange how LNZ looks insecure right now. After losing to "Karpaty", I immediately understood that the team did not work well during the training camp. LNZ has a terrible functional appearance and does not keep pace at all.
The second disappointment is "Chornomorets". I expected more from Kuchera, and it seemed to me that the Odesa team would quickly collect points. I will not include "Shakhtar" here; still, they scored points and did not lose to "Dynamo". However, "Shakhtar" always performed well in the final stretch, but this season they have failed.
— The best coach of April?
— I lean towards Shovkovskyi. "Dynamo" reached the Cup final, leads in UPL, and looks functionally complete. I am pleased that Shovkovskyi finds understanding with the players. From the players’ interviews, it feels like the collective is in a positive mood and there is a wonderful atmosphere in the team.
In second place, I will note Kostiushyn, who revived "Kolos". I liked the matches against "Shakhtar" and "Polissia". "Kolos" looked definitely more interesting than "Polissia".
— The best player of April?
— The giant is the locomotive of "Kolos". He both scored and assisted, making a real difference. In recent games, he was simply unstoppable! I think the scouts of the Ukrainian national team are already paying close attention to him. He definitely deserves a call-up. The giant is a very interesting player — dynamic, sharp. Such players are always valued. He reminds me of younger Chiesa.
I will also note Vanat, Kevin, and Tedi Tsar. They showed themselves well.
— The best Ukrainian legionnaire of April?
— I will prefer Zabarnyi, who performs consistently in the EPL. It’s no wonder he is the most expensive Ukrainian player, and that’s considering he is a defender.
Yaremchuk? The Greek Championship cannot be compared to the EPL. Although Roman amazes with his professionalism. Even when he didn’t play for "Benfica", he looked very good in the national team. This shows that Yaremchuk is psychologically resilient and always gives 100%. This is a very interesting quality, worthy of studying his phenomenon.
— Do you think the top-3 UPL will not change in the last four rounds of the season — 1. "Dynamo", 2. "Oleksandriia", 3. "Shakhtar"?
— If the placement in the top-3 changes, I will see it as a sensation. It is practically unreal for "Dynamo" and "Oleksandriia" to lose two games. Rotan’s team knows how to play balanced football, and if necessary, even without the ball, thanks to Kalyuzhnyi. Therefore, there is an 80% chance that the top-3 will remain the same.
I note that this current championship is one of the few where no one will stimulate opponents since second place might not bring anything. The Cup, in this regard, may be more interesting than second and third places.
— Your prediction for the Cup final "Shakhtar" — "Dynamo"?
— Everyone I spoke with is betting on "Shakhtar". If the Donetsk team does not take the Cup as well, it will be a complete fiasco. The focus will be maximum. And for "Dynamo", the most important thing is to become champions. In my opinion, "Shakhtar’s" motivation for the Cup will be higher.
Andrii Piskun
