On Wednesday, October 29, in the round of 16 of the Ukrainian Cup, Kyiv Dynamo defeated Donetsk Shakhtar 2:1 and advanced to the tournament’s quarterfinals. The match took place in Kyiv at the Dynamo Stadium named after Valeriy Lobanovskyi. Here is the post-match press conference of the capital team’s head coach, Oleksandr Shovkovskyi.
— Congratulations to all Dynamo fans for the victory and for advancing to the next round of the Ukrainian Cup. We defeated a principal opponent. This victory is very important for all of us.
Regarding the match, in the first half, we showed too much respect towards the opponent’s team players. As a result, we didn’t play as aggressively as we agreed with the team.
In the second half, we did not play riskier, but we adjusted our interactions on the field regarding defense organization. Before the match, we focused the players' attention on the fact that success comes to the brave, and for that, one must be decisive, strive to be first on the ball, be confident in their actions, and play without unnecessary emotions. Excessive emotions can sometimes get in the way. In the first half, it wasn’t in our favor, but in the second half, after conceding a goal, it was clear that the guys became more confident and understood perfectly well what needed to be done. Success is an integral part of persistence, confidence, and boldness. Success, victory, and chance smile upon the brave. But all this must be earned through desire, work, and contribution to the team’s actions.
For the second half, definitely — thanks to the players. As for the first half, we will watch and analyze. We will prepare for the next matches.
Oleksandr Shovkovskyi. Photo — Yu. Yuryev— What determined the choice of the third kit for the home match?
— This is a question not for me.
— Is there any priority for Dynamo in the tournaments the team participates in?
— Any game in which Kyiv Dynamo takes the field is the most important for us. I always tell the players: you can’t change the past, and no one knows what the future will be. What’s important is only what happens today and tomorrow because today we shape our future. With attitude, training, preparation, sleep, nutrition, any details. There are no small things either in football or in life. Therefore, the most important thing is what happens today and the game tomorrow.
— Today, a series of 10 matches without victories against Shakhtar was interrupted. Did you emphasize this series to the players when preparing for today’s match?
— There are statistical data, and then there is preparation for the game. When we prepare for the match, of course, we consider statistical data, but not those you mentioned: we consider our interactions, combinations, movement on the field. Everything related to the game. And about what you said, we never talked about and didn’t even remember.
— On Sunday, we will play Shakhtar again, but in the Ukrainian Championship. Who will have the psychological advantage after today’s match?
— We must not distinguish between victories and defeats, these are the words of Valeriy Vasilyevich Lobanovskyi, and I fully agree with him. We must look at the game, at what gave us additional opportunities, at what allowed us to win (if we’re talking about today’s match, for example). To win, we need to track these actions. Of course, it’s very difficult to win every match, but we must strive for this and consistently move in this direction. Not to elevate ourselves after victories, and not to lose heart when victory doesn’t happen. Prepare wisely for the next match, controlling your emotions and fully committing both in the training process and in the game. The most important match is the imminent one, as was today’s match for us.
Once again, congratulations to all Dynamo fans with the victory and advancing to the next round of the Ukrainian Cup. Wishing everyone a quiet, peaceful, and restful night, even though messages have already started that some excitement is happening across the border. Glory to Ukraine!
Expect Shakhtar coach Arda Turan’s post-match conference shortly...
Oleksandr POPOV from Dynamo Stadium named after Valeriy Lobanovskyi
