Noted Ukrainian coach Vladimir Sharan shared what he expects from the second round match of the main stage of the Conference League between Turkish Samsunspor and Kyiv’s Dynamo, which takes place today in Samsun.
Vladimir Sharan. Photo — Yu. Yuryev— From Dynamo, we always expect only victories because we want this team to finally please us on the European stage. Especially since the opponents are within Dynamo’s power. But unfortunately, Dynamo constantly lacks the experience, which we all expect from the young players. Last season’s gaps in the European campaign can still be somewhat attributed to a lack of experience, but this year the capital team should perform better. And what we are seeing in the Ukrainian championship, where Dynamo cannot defeat teams of different levels, makes us realize: no matter how it is, our grand deserves more on the domestic field.
Ideally, the team would break through, as the moments it creates require more effective execution. This is what I wish for Dynamo.
But most importantly, Dynamo needs to think about defense. After all, we are conceding too many goals — the kind that defy logic. So we want some stability. And stability only comes when there are results.
Continuing on expectations from the game with Samsunspor, I would say: if we win, then it will be precisely the Dynamo we aspire to see. It’s clear that the game may not unfold as we’d like. I mean in terms of the game itself, combinations aimed at attack. But let’s at least once play correctly in defense to not concede. If we don’t concede, then I’m sure: we will defeat the Turks.
— Do you think the psychological state of Dynamo players after five draws in the championship might negatively affect the European game with Samsunspor?
— It might. It’s clear that after a series of failures, psychological confidence in one’s own strength is lost. That’s definite. I can’t recall Dynamo not winning for so long in the championship. This hasn’t happened for the entire period of this team’s participation on the national scene. But from my own experience, I can say: it has always been that before an international level game, things in the domestic championship are forgotten. After all, in Europe, we play not only for Dynamo, but also for Ukraine.
So we want our team in Samsun to finally show a game that pleasantly surprises. And to go out on the field in Dynamo jerseys and just show up — that, to put it mildly, would be wrong. As well as conceding a goal and giving up. Then the right question arises: why did Dynamo become the champions of Ukraine in the 2024/25 season? I don’t understand this. Just as I don’t understand when someone tries to find reasons in the weather, field quality, refereeing or transfers. This is already so banal that everyone is tired of it. You need to show a masculine character: go out on the field and win.
— Now many experts are saying there’s some kind of reason in Dynamo that prevents them from showing stable play and achieving positive results, as they did many years ago. What do you think the capital team will achieve in the tournament going forward?
— First of all, you need to know these internal reasons. Personally, I know nothing about them, so I’m not ready to comment on the situation. If I knew, I would honestly say what needs to be done to improve it. As people always say, there’s no smoke without fire. So there must be some problems. But this is for the club management and the coaching staff to resolve.
Andrey Pisarenko
