Journalist and commentator Viktor Vatsko spoke about the current affairs in the Ukrainian championship.
Viktor Vatsko— In my opinion, the best thing about the modern Ukrainian championship is the absence of hegemony. No team is guaranteed points. It’s no longer the case that if Dynamo plays against Zorya, you automatically know Dynamo will win. Or if Shakhtar meets Polissya or LNZ — previously the question was only about the score, now that’s not the case. And that’s wonderful, it’s the great charm of the current UPL.
As for Kryvbas — it’s not a phenomenon, but the result of systematic, well-structured work. The club correctly assessed its personnel potential, strengthened problematic positions, and chose a successful coach. After Yuriy Vernydub’s departure, the management settled on Patrick van Leeuwen — and it seems they made the right choice.
Yes, only nine rounds have been played, there was a technical mishap in the Cup, but the team is recognizable, has its own style, and interesting players. At the same time, financially, there are at least six stronger clubs.
I do not consider Kryvbas a contender for the championship — their lineup is limited, the team is young, with an average age of only 23 years. Currently, their attacking efficiency is impressive: with an XG of 13.38, Kryvyi Rih has scored 18 goals. But there’s still much work to be done in defense — in terms of XGA, the team is among the worst, and that’s a serious signal.
At the same time, we should note goalkeeper Oleksandr Kemkin — he repeatedly saved the team, and thanks to him, Kryvbas conceded only 12 goals instead of the expected 17. As they say, attack wins matches, defense wins titles. Nevertheless, it’s a pleasure to follow Kryvbas: it’s a young, bright, and interesting team, said Vatsko in his YouTube channel broadcast.
