Famous Ukrainian coach Yuri Vernidub shared his impressions of yesterday’s match of the 1st round of the main stage of the Conference League between Kyiv’s “Dynamo” and England’s “Crystal Palace” (0:2).
Yuri Vernidub— Yuri Nikolaevich, as has been the case recently, there was no miracle in the Eurocup match for “Dynamo”?
— To be honest, a miracle couldn’t have happened. Looking at the way “Dynamo” started the game, many questions arise. I understand that the Kyivans might have wanted to respond to the fact that “Crystal Palace” plays with three central defenders by doing the same. But I don’t understand why this was necessary. Why not play the way you know works best? I also didn’t like the starting lineup.
— Did the first goal conceded by Kyiv on the 31st minute, when they were a man down due to Mikhavko’s injury, become crucial?
— How can you make a substitution for five minutes? They could have rearranged immediately and brought in a midfielder. Was that goal crucial? I don’t think so. What had the Dynamo players done near the English goal before that?
— «Crystal Palace» didn’t create a single goal-scoring opportunity either.
— From the game, it was clear that sooner or later those moments would come. The opponent acted more thoughtfully, more confidently. If “Crystal Palace” beat “Liverpool”, they would have found ways to score against “Dynamo”.
— Overall, Dynamo didn’t bother the goalkeeper of “Crystal Palace” at all during the match. Is it about the skill of the players or is it psychological, considering that the team is losing in Europe but can’t win in Ukraine?
— In my opinion, there are problems within the team. I think it’s necessary to talk to each player and the team as a whole. Perhaps that will resolve the situation.
— Despite such a performance and the negative result, who would you highlight positively and negatively from the “Dynamo” squad?
— I believe that the best was Ruslan Neshcheret. If it weren’t for him, “Dynamo” could have conceded even more goals. Tiare was not bad. It’s clear that his football education isn’t very good, but he tried hard and fought. And I would highlight Shola, who came on the field instead of Yarmolenko. I like this Nigerian midfielder. As for the negatives, I don’t want to single anyone out; let the coaching staff handle that.
Serhiy Demyanchuk
