Former midfielder of «Dynamo» Sergiy Sydorchuk shared his thoughts on the competition in the Ukrainian national team with Taras Stepanenko on the YouTube channel of Denys Boyko.
Sergiy Sydorchuk
— How did you see this competition?
— I started to feel it only after about 27−28 years. Because I was transferred to such a position, I started playing as one defensive midfielder at 27−28 years old. Taras always played like that, and I was moved.
— You moved to «Dynamo» as a more attacking player.
— Yes, I started going to the national team as a more attacking player. I also played more attacking under Serhiy Stanislavovych. There were Rybalka and Veloso, who played as direct defensive midfielders.
So I didn’t really feel direct competition with him because we even played together in the national team — not so often, but we played together. So I can’t say I strongly felt it. After 27 years — yes, I felt it.
And all this time while I was going to the national team — I can honestly tell you: out of 100 percent, about 90 percent, he was better in that position than I was.
— Were you aware of this?
— Yes. I realize it now.
— Were you aware of this specifically in relation to playing for the national team?
— Yes, playing for the national team. I didn’t feel this with «Dynamo»… For the national team, he matters much more.
— He mattered during that period.
— I think if he had game practice now… For me, he is probably the strongest as a pure defensive midfielder.
