Former head coach and midfielder of “Dynamo” Oleksandr Hatskevych shared his expectations for the final match of the Ukrainian Cup between “Shakhtar” and “Dynamo”.
Oleksandr Hatskevych
— What are your expectations for the Cup Classic?
— I expect the same tense game as in the last Classic, where one team loses the first half without a chance, and in the second everything changes drastically. When the scenario changes — it is a spectacle for the viewers.
— Who do you consider the favorite in the match “Shakhtar” — “Dynamo”?
— There is no favorite in the final. If two teams have reached the decisive match, then they must determine who is better.
— “Shakhtar” bought Brazilians for 32 million euros this winter. Do you think they will grow into top stars like Fernandinho and Willian?
— Yes, they have all the makings for that, and previously “Shakhtar” knew how to work with young Brazilians: they were given time and the opportunity to adapt. But to be frank, the Ukrainian league should also contribute to the development of players, and today it is difficult to progress rapidly in UPL. The Brazilians have the technical level, but the environment must also help cultivate players, as well as the work of the club.
How do I assess the Brazilians of “Shakhtar”? It is hard to say anything yet because these are completely young guys. They look good in fragments, but there is no stability. Over the past 20 years — this is the worst season for “Shakhtar”. One could say that the Brazilians of the Donetsk club are an investment in the future.
— What was the biggest bonus you had for beating “Shakhtar”?
— Whatever bonuses we had, “Shakhtar” always had them twice as high. We had five thousand, “Shakhtar” — 10. We had — 10, “Shakhtar” — 20. Everything depended on the tournament situation, and for the Cup, in my time, the figure was fixed. Before every game against “Shakhtar”, Ihor Mykhailovych would announce the bonus amount — 15, 20, or 30 thousand. At present, I do not know what bonuses the players have. Now they play more for money, and we played for the club, although money is also important.
— The Classic has always been known for its uncompromising play, fights, and red cards. Do you think there will be red cards in the cup match?
— It is hard to say. Now in the Classic, there is none of the passion that was before. In my time, players could provoke the opponent into a red card. In “Dynamo” there were Denys Harmash and Zhenya Kacheridi, in “Shakhtar” — Tyson and Srna. They were not only masters of football, but also good provocateurs. Today, I do not see that. Perhaps such moments do not embellish the game, but they certainly add spice.
— What is your prediction for the Cup final?
— I cannot be objective because for understandable reasons I will cheer for “Dynamo”. My prediction is that “Dynamo” will beat “Shakhtar” with a score of 3:2.
Andrii Piskun
