Young Dynamo defender Vladislav Zakharchenko shared his emotions from working with the first team of the «white-blues» and talked about the preparation for the match against «Karpaty» in the Ukrainian championship.
Vladislav Zakharchenko. Photo: fcdynamo.com
— Today, Dynamo had a planned training session before the match against Karpaty. Tell us what you worked on and the team’s mood?
— We reviewed the last game against Oleksandriya, went over the theory. And today’s training was more engaging after the day off. Now we will be watching the games of Karpaty and prepare for them in more detail.
— It has gotten colder in Kyiv, it’s noticeable. Are you ready for matches to be played not in sunny weather but significantly colder?
— Yes. I think the weather doesn’t interfere with playing football at all. Whether it rains or snows, it’s all about the skill.
— In France, when it was pouring, the match between Marseille and PSG was postponed when they learned half a day in advance that bad weather would come. We don’t have that, matches are played in any weather. Is this a feature of Ukrainian weather, of the Ukrainian championship?
— Yes, probably, it’s a special aspect that matches are not canceled, regardless of the weather. But I believe it doesn’t play any role what the weather is like.
— You recently debuted for the first team in the game against Oleksandriya, starting in the lineup. Tell us what this gave you? What did you feel when you found out you would be starting? How long have you been waiting for this?
— Well, of course, you could say I have been waiting for this my whole life. It’s nice to have been trusted to go on the field in such a game. The team supported me, the coaching staff supported me, and of course, I enjoyed that game.
— How do you evaluate your actions? How well did you play?
— I don’t know, I think it’s not for me to evaluate but for the coaches or someone else.
— There is always strong competition in Dynamo. Now a newcomer, Aliou Tiara, has also signed for your position. Has this given you more confidence and motivation to fight for a starting place?
— Of course, competition is always good for players and for the team as a whole. Because when there is competition, you progress. And, of course, it’s good when the coaching staff has a choice of who to put in, who not to, when there is rotation, so that the same ones are not playing every match.
— You have been on a long camp with the main team, and now you are with the main team all the time. Tell us about this adaptation period, how different is everything here compared to what it was in U19? Who has emotionally and psychologically helped you the most?
— All the guys, the whole team accepted me well, we communicate normally, they have supported me all this time. But it’s clear that I communicate more with guys from my age group, born in 2003−2006.
— How much easier is it for you psychologically to play now? A certain period has passed after the summer camps. Has it become easier, or are the emotions still the same? What did you feel when you realize you are in the main team of Dynamo?
— Of course, it’s pleasant, you could say it’s what every footballer strives for, to grow and make it to the first team. Especially if it’s Dynamo (Kyiv) — the best team in Ukraine. Overall, it’s nice to train, I like everything.
— You debuted, you can say you have achieved your first goal. What is the next goal?
— Probably, to start playing in the starting lineup. This is the goal for every footballer — to play in the starting lineup, to be a main player in their position, and to bring maximum benefit to the team.
