Forward and captain of Luhansk “Zorya” Pylyp Budkivskyi spoke about the team’s training camp, as well as the difference between the previous coach Mladen Bartulovic and the current mentor Viktor Skrypnyk.
Pylyp Budkivskyi. Photo — FC “Zorya”
— Pylyp, last season UPL “Zorya” finished seventh. How was it perceived?
— Our goal was to qualify for European Cups. And we could have done it, but unfortunately, we lost that opportunity at the finish of the championship. Everyone was upset since “Zorya” is a team that always wants to compete on the international stage.
I believe that the mistakes will be analyzed, conclusions will be made and we will strive to achieve our goals in the upcoming season.
— Did the change of head coach in “Zorya” come about largely because of this?
— I can’t say. These questions are better directed to the club’s management.
— At the moment, “Zorya” has finished the first part of the training camp. Is everything going according to plan?
— I think so. However, training camps are always tough since we have three trainings a day. There is room for improvement.
— You are the most experienced and oldest player on the team. Do you give advice to the younger players?
— Sometimes they ask, and sometimes I advise them myself. Sometimes I have to give them a push. It’s normal in football, everyone accepts criticism, including me. Thanks to this, progress is made.
— Which of the current “Zorya” players have you known the longest?
— Since my last appearance for Luhansk, there are none left in the team.
— How do you spend your leisure time during the training camp?
— In different ways. Some read books, some play on PlayStation, and some play cards.
— Which of the activities do you prefer?
— I prefer reading books, but sometimes I also play cards.
— Who is unbeatable in gambling games?
— We have a couple of guys, Ihor Horbach and Navin Malysh. They always have good cards (smiles).
— Are the stakes symbolic?
— Basically, yes. Someone pays for dinner or has to treat with something, for example, coffee.
— Do you treat more or do others treat you?
— My situation is 50/50.
— Viktor Skrypnyk has returned to head “Zorya”. Has anything changed in his working methodology compared to, say, 2019, when you were here?
— The coach has the same principles of work. I am familiar with this process. I think it’s interesting for those who didn’t know the coach before to train under the guidance of a specialist who has achieved great heights both as a coach and as a player.
— How much does the training process differ between Mladen Bartulovic and Viktor Skrypnyk?
— Each coach has their own vision of football. It was interesting for us with Bartulovic, just as it is with Skrypnyk, who has his own innovations. But what unites these coaches is that players spend a lot of time with the ball, which is good.
— Has the club management outlined the tasks for the season?
— Specifically — not yet. But, as I said, I don’t think anything will change in this regard; we will strive to reach the European Cups.
— I can’t help but ask whether the coach counts on you? Many domestic media have written on this topic.
— Indeed, there was a conversation. It happened because I had offers from other clubs.
— What was the outcome of your conversation?
— If we are talking about “Zorya”, it means I am with the team (smiles). I still have a year left on my contract, so I will try to be useful to the team at this stage. And further on, life will show. In any case, the head coach counts on me.
— And what if offers come in again?
— If something interesting comes up, then anything can happen; the transfer window is still open.
— Club president Yevhen Heller said he would only let you go to a foreign club in order not to strengthen rivals in the UPL. Is that true?
— Yes. That is correct.
— But so far, there haven’t been any offers that you can’t refuse?
— Absolutely correct.
Serhii Demyanchuk
