The midfielder of Kyiv “Dynamo”, Roman Salenko, who joined Luhansk “Zorya” on loan at the beginning of the current season, spoke about his current plans in professional football.
Roman Salenko. Photo — FC “Zorya”— You are a product of the “Dynamo” system. What has your time at the club given you in terms of schooling, playing style, mentality?
— They prepared me for adult football. Analyzing space on the football field constantly.
— Do you feel that your time at “Dynamo” laid the foundation for your professional path?
— I think it did lay the foundation for adulthood. But each individual club gave me what I’m now showing on the football field.
— You debuted for the first team of “Dynamo” against “Chornomorets” and appeared in European cups against “Galatasaray”. How do you remember those moments — what did they give you personally?
— Confidence and experience.
— You couldn’t establish yourself at “Dynamo” and eventually ended up at “Zorya”. Do you want to return there in the future?
— Yes.
— Your father is the legendary Oleg Salenko, a holder of the “Golden Boot” from the World Cup. How does his name and experience influence your career?
— I don’t pay attention to that. I want people to see me as an individual player, not just as the son of my father’s career. Dad is an example for me, but I’m building my own story.
— Is it more inspiration or additional pressure to always be seen as “Salenko’s son”?
— Well, of course, there is a desire to become better. I don’t feel pressure.
— What is the main advice from your father that you carry with you into professional football?
— To play using my body and shield the ball.
— How have you summed up the first rounds inside the locker room: what is already working in “Zorya’s” game model, and what is still “creaky”?
— We keep the ball, press the opponent well, but there are problems with finishing attacks into goals.
— How would you describe the basic idea of “Zorya” this season in three sentences?
— Control, pressing.
— Has your personal role changed compared to last season?
— The first games in the UPL, I don’t know what to compare it with.
— Last year “Zorya” was seventh. What is the current benchmark?
— We have not the best start, but it’s just the beginning. I hope we can fight for the top-5. We are getting stronger with each game. Right now, we need to correct our mistakes that affect the results.
— What are you working on the most right now?
— Scanning the space on the field. I feel that I have improved, but I always need to refine. Finishing and making the most correct and productive decisions for the team during the match.
— Next, you face “Shakhtar”. What are your expectations for this match?
— “Shakhtar” is a giant. But, as demonstrated by Karpaty and “Metalist 1925”, it is possible to compete. Yes, it will be even harder. Everything depends on us. I don’t want to say much. The game will show.
Kateryna Bondarenko
