Former Ukrainian national team defender Vladimir Yezersky shared his expectations for today’s matches of Kyiv Dynamo and Shakhtar Donetsk in the main stage of the Conference League. Let us remind you, the 'White-Blues' will play against the Bosnian Žrinjski, while the 'Miners' face Iceland’s Breiðablik.
— Vladimir Ivanovich, Dynamo and Shakhtar have achieved one victory in four matches in the group stage of the least prestigious European club football. Is it all sad?
— We always expect victories from our giants, no matter how challenging it may be since they are the leaders of Ukrainian football. Specifically from Dynamo, who should be aiming to earn their first points in this tournament. Unfortunately, the current situation is such that we have to accept what is.
— Is there light at the end of the tunnel?
— It’s tough to prepare for matches in the mode that Dynamo and Shakhtar are in. The Dynamo players and the 'Miners' are constantly traveling. Coaches find it difficult to conduct a full-fledged training process, so it’s hard to rely on stability. Nevertheless, the upcoming matches are elevated to the rank of key in the fight for advancing from the group. The tournament situation forces Ukrainian teams to play for victory, especially, again, this concerns Kyiv.
— Do you believe the Ukrainian champion will advance from the group?
— Yes. Ahead for Dynamo are opponents they can handle, I mean Žrinjski, Omonia, and Noa. Fiorentina stands out somewhat, but even then, the Italians are currently far from their best form, occupying the last place in Serie A. Moreover, at the moment, the Dynamo team is only two points behind the necessary position. I believe the whole battle is ahead.
— So, today Ukrainian fans are entitled to expect a positive result from our clubs?
— I think, I can even say, I am sure that, at least in individual skills, the players of Ukrainian teams surpass their opponents. I believe Dynamo and Shakhtar are favorites in their pairings. However, this needs to be proven on the football field, as there have been times when our teams couldn’t do this.
— Nevertheless, Dynamo will play against the champion of Bosnia and Herzegovina. Will it be difficult for Kyivans on a moral level after losing to Shakhtar in the championship?
— This will not affect the potential of the 'White-Blues.' Yes, the 'Miners' won in the championship, but not long ago, the Kyivans knocked Donetsk out of the Ukrainian Cup. On the contrary, matches against Shakhtar should help Dynamo, as this was essentially the level of European competitions. And the more such matches, the quicker the youth will grow.
In such a tight schedule, when matches are held every three to four days, if you dwell on it for long, there won’t be enough strength for subsequent victories. Footballers must understand they represent Ukraine on the international stage, so motivation and the desire to achieve positive results should be paramount.
— If you know very little about the team, does it mean it’s not that strong? I mean Shakhtar’s chances.
— Arda Turan has such a selection of players that they can impose their game on any opponent. But since the Turkish coach has a young team, it’s important for them to maintain focus throughout the game, not lose compactness between lines. And they need to maintain a balance between ball control, quick transitions from defense to attack, and vice versa.
— Try to predict the results of the Dynamo — Žrinjski and Shakhtar — Breiðablik matches?
— Kyiv needs to try to improve in discipline, game organization in defense, and execution. The winner is not determined by the number of scoring chances but by who better utilizes their opportunities. If we manage to combine all this, then I believe that at least Aleksandr Shovkovskiy’s team can aim for a goal. But let’s predict — 2:0.
I’m more confident in Shakhtar because the technical equipment of the Brazilians can play its role. There’s great potential there. If the 'Miners' catch their game, then a big victory is possible. 3:0.
Sergey Demyanchuk