Earlier in an interview with honored master of sports, honored coach of Ukraine, five-time champion of the USSR, seven-time winner of cup tournaments, holder of the Cup Winners' Cup and UEFA Super Cup (1975), bronze medalist of the 1976 Olympics Leonid Buryak, there was not a single word on football in my questions. Some were surprised by this.
I promised to make up for it, which I do with pleasure.
Leonid Buryak. Photo — O. VasilyevOnce Buryak said that 90 minutes spent on the field is a piece of life.
I reminded him that he played 304 matches in national championships, 53 with the national team, 51 in European cups, played many unofficial matches, often upset goalkeepers. And I asked:
— Is there perhaps a certain goal that you remember especially well?
— There were quite a few memorable matches and goals. Sometimes some of them even come to mind in dreams.
— If it weren’t for football, which sport would you prefer?
— I never thought about it. Since I was nine years old, when going to bed, I put a football next to my pillow. Now I often take a tennis racket in my hands. I enjoy this activity. I happily play tennis.
— Buryak was considered a master of penalty execution. How many penalties did you manage to convert while playing for “Dynamo” and the national team?
— 35.
— How many goals did you score against Spartak?
— Five.
— As a token of gratitude and paying tribute to your talent and achievements, on September 13, 2015, in Odessa, on the alley of fame of FC “Chornomorets”, leading to the stadium in Taras Shevchenko Park, a “Star of Leonid Buryak” appeared, there is one in Kyiv as well, near the TRC “Gulliver”…
— My football path began in my native Odessa. At the age of 16, I was invited to “Chornomorets”. Apparently, I showed myself well enough, which is why I was noticed by Kyiv’s “Dynamo”. After finishing my performances, I became a coach. While working in “Chornomorets” in 1995, my students won silver medals in the Ukrainian championship for the first time. We repeated this success in the next national tournament.
As for the alleys of football fame, they should be in those cities where, like in Odessa, our game has always enjoyed great popularity. Unfortunately, this tradition is lacking in Ukrainian football.
— Are you willing to give autographs?
— This procedure is always pleasant. People still recognize you. I take photos with many fans and don’t refuse anyone.
— What would you change in the rules of football? What is your attitude towards VAR?
— In my opinion, significant changes are unnecessary. Football should be perceived as it is today. The most popular game in the world, gifted to us by England.
Regarding VAR, when contentious moments arise, it is desirable to avoid long pauses. They significantly affect the dynamics of the game. Unfortunately, this often happens in the Ukrainian championship.
— Now a third star will appear above the Dynamo emblem. What are your emotions?
— I am glad that our team convincingly, without a single defeat, won the 39th national championship. Now Dynamo has 30 championship titles — 13 in the championships of the former USSR and 17 in Ukraine. Three stars above the emblem are the merit of several generations of Dynamo players.
— How does Leonid Buryak see modern football?
— Currently, higher criteria for selecting players are observed. Speed is very important. And not only in handling the ball, but also in speed endurance. And we should add psychology and many other factors. Today football is universal. In the game, it is necessary to use your strong qualities.
— For many years, you were mentored by Valery Vasilyevich Lobanovsky as a player. Then you were his assistant for seven years. Then you led the national team yourself…
— I proudly consider myself a protégé of the Great Coach. If it weren’t for Valery Vasilyevich, we wouldn’t have had those famous Dynamo teams and the loud victories of our football. Even today, we continue to measure football by Lobanovsky.
— Which star of world football would you invite to your team if you were a coach?
— You can’t answer that right away. There are many wonderful players: Messi, Lukaku, Dybala, Ronaldo…
— Buryak is the author of two books, popular among football fans. The first — “Hot Spots of the Field” — was published in 1985, the second — “I Lived in Happy Football Time” — appeared in 2007…
— Regarding the title of the second book, I really did live in a happy football time. Football brought me joy, became the work and meaning of my life. However, not everything I dreamed of came true due to various reasons and circumstances. But I should not be resentful towards life. After all, my football years are my wealth.
Perhaps the time will come, inspiration will appear to undertake writing the third book. After all, not everything has been said yet…
Alexander LIPENKO for Dynamo.kiev.ua
