Dynamo Kyiv midfielder Mykola Mykhailenko commented on the victory over Shakhtar (2:1) in the 1/8 final of the Ukrainian Cup 2025/2026.
Mykola Mykhailenko (second from the right; photo: Yu. Yuryev)— Why were you substituted? There was discomfort and after the first half, it became so significant that I could no longer continue. The decision was made to substitute me.
— How would you comment on the first half, as it seemed that Dynamo was not controlling the course of the match...
— Well, yes, to some extent. How can you disagree? Basically, we didn’t have any chances. We couldn’t find our game. Plus, Shakhtar started more confidently at some points. But then, in the second half, we changed a lot. We pointed out our mistakes, analyzed some moments, and it got much better.
— What allowed Dynamo to achieve the result?
— I believe we started playing more bravely and really began to push. Confidence emerged somewhere, and on the contrary, Shakhtar lost it. I think it perhaps psychologically affected them.
— Do you agree with the statement that Dynamo is now the undeniable favorite of the Ukrainian Cup?
— No, of course, all the teams that remain in the tournament have the right to win, so it’s a big mistake to think so. We just move from game to game, and the next opponent will come. We will prepare as we did for Shakhtar.
— What’s happening in the locker room now?
— Of course, there are good emotions, positive emotions, but everyone understands that we have a next game with the same opponent. We will be preparing.
— Do you think physical form was the key factor in the second half when Shakhtar got a bit tired?
— Why do you think it’s physical form? It’s a psychological moment, I can’t speak about it.
— Challenging schedule...
— Well, yes, a challenging schedule for both Shakhtar and us. We have the same schedule.
— Does this mean your physical form is better?
— I wouldn’t say so. Why did they look better in the first half then? You understand that it’s such a moment, you can’t talk about physical form; there are some psychological and tactical moments.
Danylo Kyryaka
