Former defender and former coach of Kyiv «Dynamo» Anatolii Demianenko shared his thoughts on the match against «Zrinjski» in the third round of the Conference League.
Anatolii Demianenko
— What do you expect from the «Dynamo» — «Zrinjski» match?
— First of all, I expect a good game. The Dynamo players should be well-motivated. It’s time to earn some points in the Conference League. We hope that «Dynamo» will show a decent game and achieve a positive result.
«Dynamo» was a bit unlucky with its opponents. «Crystal Palace» — a Premier League representative, Turkish Samsunspor is also in form. «Shakhtar» has a simpler draw. We hope that against «Zrinjski» the Kyiv team will earn their first points.
— From which players do you expect a bright performance?
— I expect from everyone. We want the team play to be at a high level, everyone needs to attack and defend, this is the only way to achieve results. Who scores doesn’t matter as much; the main thing is that they score.
— Will the absence of the injured Brazhko significantly affect «Dynamo’s» game?
— It’s hard to say. Brazhko hasn’t always been playing lately, even when healthy. The coaching staff knows best who to replace him with. Whoever comes in, they need to prove themselves. This is «Dynamo» (Kyiv) — a club that has always performed well on the international stage, so it needs to confirm this reputation.
— Do you think Shovkovskyi will continue using Yarmolenko as a forward, or is that not his position?
— Well, why not his? I like him in this position. Andriy is an experienced and crafty player who has played in good clubs. Yarmolenko can hold the ball, pass, and score, he reads the game well. So, everything is fine in this regard.
— What impression did the two «Dynamo» matches against «Shakhtar» leave you with: in the Cup (2:1) and in the UPL (1:3)?
— Mixed. The guys tried, in the first match they took their chances, but in the second — it didn’t work out, especially in the first half.
— «Dynamo» had a series of six matches without a win, then they thrashed «Kryvbas», knocked «Shakhtar» out of the Cup, but lost to the «miners» in the championship. Is the capital club coming out of the crisis or is it too early to say?
— I think «Dynamo» is already coming out of the crisis. I repeat, today we are all expecting a good game and a victory. It’s time to start earning points.
— Your prediction for the «Dynamo» — «Zrinjski» match?
— I usually don’t give predictions, but this time I’ll make an exception. «Dynamo» will win 2:1.
Andrii Piskun
