Universal player of Kyiv’s Dynamo, Oleksandr Karavayev, summed up the result of yesterday’s match against Donetsk’s Shakhtar (2:1) in the 1/8 finals of the Ukrainian Cup.
Oleksandr Karavayev. Photo — Y. Yuriev— A good match by Dynamo, an important victory, the first in the last 10 matches against Shakhtar. What are your thoughts and emotions about such a result?
— Well, of course, positive emotions because this is our Ukrainian derby, and, of course, our championship lacks such matches, matches with such intensity. And it’s even more pleasing that we snatched this victory, adding even more positivity. Especially since we hadn’t won against Shakhtar for a long time.
— In the first half, it seemed like your team was playing with some fear, afraid to make a mistake. Did you feel a fear of making mistakes, was there additional nervousness?
— No, there was no anxiety. We just didn’t feel our game. Maybe in some moments, we didn’t play very freely. It’s when you play more cautiously because the score is 0:0, and in some moments, you don’t want to take risks too much, although we tried. But, as they say, when you get scored against, it’s a cold shower, and there’s nothing to lose anymore. And then we opened up, and of course, snatched this victory.
— How did Oleksandr Shovkovskyi motivate you? You came out charged up for the second half and really snatched this victory.
— Yes, we ourselves, the whole team understood. We talked with the coaching staff, among ourselves, so there was good communication. Of course, we understood that if we played as we know how, we could claw out this match, snatch the victory, which we did in the second half.
— A remarkable atmosphere in the stadium, more people are now allowed in the stands.
— Top-notch. It’s great. We already want big football to return to our country as soon as possible. Of course, after our Victory, so that all this ends and peace returns to our country soon.
— Does the match against Shakhtar hold any special significance for you, as you were once a trainee of this club?
— That was about 15−20 years ago. Of course, I will always remember it. I grew up as a footballer precisely in my childhood. But I became a professional, an adult footballer, in other clubs. And I spent most of my career at Dynamo, so for me, Dynamo is my home club.
— The press writes a lot about you living a second youth. What do you have to say about that?
— I understand how old I am. Of course, I want to play as long as possible. I said this at the beginning of the season when I extended my contract. I feel I can give a lot to Dynamo football club, just as Dynamo football club has given me. Therefore, as long as I have strength and inspiration, I will show it in games, and you will all see it.
— There was a very difficult away game against Samsunspor, then a match a few days later against Kryvbas, also very challenging. Kryvbas was then the league leader. And the third match a couple of days later against Shakhtar. And the next match will also be against Shakhtar. How difficult is it now with such a schedule, where every match is actually very important for Dynamo?
— Of course, it’s very difficult. That’s why squad depth is needed. We have injured players, but they are slowly returning to the lineup. Eduardo Guerrero came out and scored. He saw that there’s Andriy Yarmolenko, who can play anywhere and score goals. So, as they say, I support this, that when there is competition, there is progress.
— Did you follow other matches of the Ukrainian Cup and possible opponents?
— Of course, I follow. This year’s Cup draw is very unconventional. And it’s more attractive when many teams from the lower leagues can go as far as possible. If you look at all the clubs, I think «Lokomotiv» did well, having passed two teams from higher leagues, and now they’ve passed another one, and they are already in the 1/4 finals.
— Do you have any preferences regarding the next opponent?
— No, we have a lot of games right now, and right now we definitely shouldn’t be thinking about that. Right now, all thoughts are already on the championship.
Daniil Kiriaka
