On Saturday, August 16, in the match of the 3rd round of the Ukrainian championship, Kyiv’s “Dynamo” defeated “Epicenter” from Kamianets-Podilskyi with a score of 4:1. The match took place in Ternopil at the Central City Stadium named after R. Shukhevych. Here is the post-match press conference of the head coach of the capital team, Alexander Shovkovsky.
— How successfully were you able to create psychological balance in the team after the defeat to “Paphos” in the qualification for the Champions League?
— We are currently playing and training in a busy schedule, and no matter how hard it is, the season is just beginning. Yes, it can be painful, it can be very unpleasant, but we cannot allow ourselves to relax, lower our heads, or bury them in the sand. We prepare, analyze, draw conclusions, and move forward. And in every match, we set ourselves up for victory.
— What objectives have you set for the young players who were given a place on the field today?
— Our team consists of 29 players. This is our main roster. And there is always a starting lineup for the match. It is determined based on many circumstances: the previous match is taken into account, and someone needs to rest while someone else needs to prove themselves. But there are always 29 players preparing. And there is always a choice. Some players don’t even make the match squad, let alone the starting lineup. The players who take to the field must understand that they need to show the maximum of their capabilities. They are responsible for the quality of their game. Today we had just such a lineup—taking into account many factors.
We have achieved an important victory; we are progressing in the championship of Ukraine, so every point counts.
— Were you surprised by “Epicenter”?
— At the beginning of the game, the score could have been 3:0, 4:0. But then a regrettable error on our part; we stepped on the same rake, and the score was equalized. We work in training, but from match to match, something works, and something doesn’t. Today, a set piece worked. It should have worked in the match against “Hamrun Spartans” and in the match against “Paphos.” And today the goal came—good. The game consists of used and missed opportunities.
We studied the opponent, understood how they would act, and realized how we could be more effective in attack.
— Recently you said that you were sure Guerrero would score. And today it happened. Can we say that your words were additional motivation for him? And the second question: evaluate Torres’ debut.
— I saw how both of them work in training, I saw their persistence. Unfortunately, Torres had an injury, and we had to wait a certain amount of time. Angel was upset with me for not involving him. But I understood that he had not yet reached optimal condition to get on the field.
As for Guerrero, I felt that he had to take the moment. Today it happened. I also believe that his second goal, which was disallowed, should have counted: the ball went off the defender. Additionally, Guerrero hit the post.
It’s great that we have players who are ready to go onto the field and solve the task. But we understand that when we play at a higher level, we face less space, higher speeds, less time to make decisions, and a much higher level of intelligence. All this ultimately affects the result. Therefore, I constantly require from the players to do everything in the training process as quickly as possible—so that we can gradually grow (both as a team and individually) and reach a higher level.
— How successfully are you managing to alternate performances in European cups and the Ukrainian championship?
— The team is preparing. It is important to get through this segment that we currently have. Since July 28, we haven’t been home. This is related to the situation in the country. So there is a psychological moment here. The players feel it. We try to explain to them to approach the situation with understanding. We will do everything possible to demonstrate good play and results.
— A question about the episode with the conceded goal: in your opinion, was there a foul?
— Honestly, I didn’t watch the video of that episode. It wouldn’t have changed the referee’s decision anyway. But we need to analyze that episode carefully. In football, it is allowed to play: you always have to play until the whistle and, of course, make the right decision.
I congratulate all the “Dynamo” fans on the victory. Life sometimes hits hard, but we have to withstand the blow, prepare, and move forward. Wishing everyone a good, calm, and peaceful evening and night. Glory to Ukraine!
Expect the post-match press conference of “Epicenter” head coach Sergey Nagornyak a little later...
Alexander POPOV from Ternopil