The president of Kyiv’s Dynamo, Igor Surkis, commented on the recent failures of the club’s first team in the Ukrainian championship. Recall that in three consecutive matches, the «white-blues» drew — first with «Obolon» (2:2), then with «Oleksandriya» (2:2), and finally, yesterday, with «Karpaty» (3:3).
Igor Surkis. Photo — fcdynamo.com— Igor Mikhailovich, Dynamo has lost points again in the UPL and again in the final minutes and against not the strongest opponent at this time — Karpaty, who were eliminated from the Ukrainian Cup by first-league Bukovyna (0:1) and have only one win in the new season.
Don’t you think that Oleksandr Shovkovsky’s team is in some sort of crisis, so to speak, or is it just bad luck?
— I’m not Nostradamus or Baba Vanga. This is football. And you have to go through such things, too. I wouldn’t talk about any crisis, it’s not worth it. Yes, the team concedes too many goals, but above all, it must score five or six goals, that’s the crux of the matter.
I repeat, it’s not worth talking about any crisis. Karpaty wanted to win just as much as we did. Considering that we were losing 0:2 and then took the lead 3:2, you know, youth has its advantages.
— A hint at the mistake of goalkeeper Valentina Morgun, who caught a «butterfly» in the 93rd minute, am I right?
— Of course, definitely. However, every goalkeeper goes through this in their career. The same Shovkovsky.
— Right, how could we forget the Slovenia — Ukraine match...
— Not only that game, but how he [Shovkovsky] conceded in the match against Bayern when we were leading 2:0, and in the last moments of the first half, Tarnat almost scored from the center of the field (referring to the first match of the Champions League semi-finals, which ended in a dramatic draw 3:3 — ed. note).
For me, the most important thing now is that the team learns from its mistakes and moves forward. In general, blaming one goalkeeper is unnecessary. The whole team is to blame. For three consecutive games, we concede in the last minutes. This is no longer an accident but a trend! We need to adjust our mindset somehow.
— Ahead is the Conference League and Crystal Palace, which in their last game defeated none other than the current Premier League champion — Liverpool (2:1). Are you not worried before the match with the English?
— I have no premonitions at all. You have to watch this game just like we would against any other team.
Of course, I understand that Crystal Palace is a serious team, but today (the conversation took place on Saturday evening — ed. note) not only they created a sensation. In the Premier League, Brentford beat Manchester United (3:1), and Chelsea lost to Brighton, having taken the lead (1:3). And Real with its star-studded squad?
— It was 2:5 in the Madrid derby against Atletico; few expected that.
— Exactly. Do you really think that the president or coach of Real will talk about some crisis after this defeat?
— I haven’t seen or read Florentino Perez’s interview online yet.
— You know, when a team like Real concedes five goals, they probably feel more distressed than we do playing 3:3 [against Karpaty]. I’ve been leading the club for many years and must remain calm about such things [about winless streaks], although I care about Dynamo’s results as much as the fans do. After a draw, wins follow.
What crisis are you talking about? The team hasn’t lost in the championship for 39 matches. I hope this winless streak will end.
Viktor Glukhennyi
