The head coach of Dynamo Oleksandr Shovkovskyi talked to the media representatives during the scheduled press conference ahead of the first match of the playoff qualification round of the Europa League against Israeli Maccabi (Tel Aviv).
Oleksandr Shovkovskyi (photo: fcdynamo.com)— Bragaru is absent from the lineup for tomorrow’s match, as he has just had a child, as well as Rubchynskyi. Are there any other players you won’t be able to count on?
— Before the game, Maksym approached me and told me about an important event in his life, so we were aware of it. We gave him the opportunity to be with his family. We sincerely congratulate him and the entire Dynamo family on the addition. This is wonderful news; we wish both the boy and the parents all the best, and for the child to grow up in a country without war.
As for the other players, Valenti Rubchynskyi is continuing his recovery from a tough injury and is in Kyiv. He has already had his cast removed, and we hope that when the team returns to Kyiv, he will be able to join the main group of players.
You know that Vladyslav Supryha has been loaned out, and he will play for "Epitsentr" until the end of the season. All other players are preparing and are at our disposal.
— In the last match against "Epitsentr," Guerrero scored a wonderful goal and could have even completed a hat trick. Does the competition in attack give you a nice headache ahead of the match with "Maccabi"?
— Without a doubt, when there is competition for a place in the starting lineup, it creates a pleasant headache and considerations about who to put in. I am very happy for Edu that he finally seized his moment, although in that match, in my opinion, the goal was "stolen" from him, and he could have scored again. I felt that he was capable, as this was evident from his attitude towards the training process. It should always be like this. All other guys are preparing and understand perfectly well that no player is guaranteed a place in the starting lineup—everyone has to prove their right to it both in training and when they step onto the pitch.
— How thoroughly have you managed to study tomorrow’s opponent? Do you not feel that Maccabi’s style of play is similar to Dynamo’s?
— Let’s be honest: we are similar to Maccabi, but only in that due to the situation in our countries, we cannot hold matches in our own stadiums with our own fans. The difference is that 15-16 Maccabi players play for their national teams, and various ones at that. The team is quite balanced, fast, plays sharp, attacking football, combines well, and makes great use of speed and flanks.
Without a doubt, we watched their matches against Paphos and Hamrun Spartans, and I can say that it will be an interesting confrontation where individual skill and how well the teams prepare for this game will determine everything.
