The former head coach of Kolos, Oleksandr Pozdeev, shared his impressions from yesterday’s match of the 3rd round of the main stage of the Conference League between Kyiv’s Dynamo and Bosnian Zrinjski (6:0) and rated the Ukrainian team’s players for this match.
Oleksandr Pozdeev. Photo — koloskovalivka.com— Mr. Oleksandr, we finally saw Dynamo win in the Conference League, with many goals scored. We would like to hear your summary of the game.
— I’m, of course, glad that we won, Dynamo scored points, because before this, the picture was sad — zero points, zero goals scored. But Zrinjski is a different class... Due to the level of opposition, it’s not possible to objectively evaluate Dynamo’s performance. In this game, everything went their way. I don’t know how the game would have played out if Dynamo had conceded in the third minute. Although they played with such a margin that, I think, they would have confidently won anyway.
Probably, the people of Kyiv could have played even better, but let’s find days to praise Dynamo. In recent months, there has been a lot of criticism directed at them, justified, but nevertheless. If Dynamo is to be criticized for something even after a 6:0 victory in European competition, they will say: «Fear God, at least sometimes let us go.» So let’s let them take a break from the pressure.
— Before this, Zrinjski managed to narrowly lose to Mainz, playing with a man down from the end of the first half. So, the Bosnians can still put up a fight against more renowned teams. Can it be said that in this match, it was not so much Dynamo being well-organized, as Zrinjski failing?
— It’s all relative. Dynamo plays against Crystal Palace and can’t do anything — is it the weakness of Kyivites or the strength of the Englishmen? It’s everything together. In this match, Dynamo was four heads stronger than Zrinjski. In some individual matches, Zrinjski can gather and offer resistance to teams, but today it’s 0:6 for them.
— In the match against Zrinjski, the Kyiv team scored three times from set-pieces and is currently the best team in the UPL by this metric. Can it be said that the arrival of the Polish set-piece specialist Maciej Kędziorek is paying off?
— I don’t see any big difference in Dynamo’s set-pieces compared to last year. In statistics, it might be there, but... In the match against Zrinjski, they scored more due to quality deliveries rather than rehearsed plays. All teams try to deliver into the zone from where Popov scored today. You don’t necessarily need to invite a specialist from Poland for this.
There are teams where I really see interesting set-pieces that are practiced. For example, Rotan’s staff during Oleksandriya’s time. There were very interesting set plays, they constantly tried to come up with something, many worked. Now they are doing this in Polissya. You can also note Sishchenko, who loves to do set-pieces. You watch and really see rehearsed moments, that the staff is working on this component.
Player ratings for Dynamo
Ruslan Nescheret — 7.0
— Nescheret made three saves, coped with his work, although there wasn’t much of it. In general, it’s hard for goalkeepers in such matches when there’s little pressure near their goal. Very easy to lose concentration, which can play a cruel joke.
Taras Mykhavko — 6.5
— It’s hard to evaluate Mykhavko’s game in the position of left defender, as he didn’t have much work in defense against this opponent. He has good speed, a quality left foot — theoretically, he can cover this position as plan B. If he doesn’t have an internal aversion to playing in an unusual position, which happens with some players, it might help him in the future. All coaches appreciate the versatility of players.
Aliu Tiareh — 6.5
— Tiareh played well, he didn’t have particular problems. He has very good size. I think Tiareh is psychologically resilient because when he makes mistakes, it’s inconspicuous that he starts hiding from the ball, he continues doing what he was doing. I think he has potential. The coaching staff trusts him.
Denys Popov — 7.0
— Not a perfect game, there were some inaccuracies. However, overall he didn’t have particular problems, and neither did Dynamo’s defense. God willing, Popov indeed has become a leader in Dynamo’s defense. Who, if not him, should be the leader?
Popov already needs to take control of Dynamo’s defensive rows. Overall, given Dynamo’s uncertain defense this season, I like that Popov is trying to add to his game, both in terms of emotions and actions on the field.
Oleksandr Tymchyk — 6.5
— It somehow easily came from his flank... Tymchyk found himself in a wide spot when he was caught in the third minute. He had time to take a more advantageous position — didn’t take it. As a result, it led to a one-on-one situation. Luckily, the Zrinjski player took a long time to make a decision and gave the opportunity to block the shot. Overall, it’s hard to give a low rating to a player from the team that won 6:0.
Mykola Mykhaylenko — 7.5
— Mykhaylenko, in comparison with Pikhaliyonok and Buyalskyi, was in the shadows more. But these are the features of his play in this role. Overall a good and quality match.
Oleksandr Pikhaliyonok — 7.5
— Did a good job during his time on the field. Pikhaliyonok practically passed without mistakes, intensified the game. Like that, in duels, he doesn’t lag behind either, actively gets into them and wins. Also note the assist to Guerrero — he burst onto Buyalskyi’s pass perfectly and shot into the open goal.
Vitaliy Buyalskyi — 8.0
— Buyalskyi was very active; I liked his game. He scored a good goal, played masterfully in that episode. Before that, he executed a great cross from a corner to Popov, who scored. We can say that Dynamo completely won the midfield.
Shola Ogundana — 7.0
— During the match, Shola tried to apply pressure, constantly kept his defender on edge. Don’t know why he was substituted at halftime. Usually, when a team is winning, a winger isn’t replaced at halftime. There are two options: either the Dynamo coaching staff saw that he greatly fell out of the game, or he was feeling unwell. Perhaps he was substituted due to accumulated fatigue.
I see sports audacity in Shola. He is an egoist, not afraid to take responsibility, has good speed and dribbling. He is still a young player who needs to progress. Shola has a good future at Dynamo if he’s trusted in the future. He is an interesting profile player. The fact that he can’t fully show himself now and sometimes takes too much upon himself — that happens. But he needs time to adapt. I can’t say that Ogundana isn’t immersed in the team’s game.
Vladyslav Kabayev — 7.5
— Scored a good goal, made an assist, did a lot of work — well done. But to be honest, I wouldn’t say Kabayev is the player who makes the difference in Dynamo. I’ve followed Dynamo since childhood and I’m used to attacking players making a difference there. There’s the same Voloshyn, who also doesn’t make the difference, but he’s still a young player, an academy graduate. But Kabayev is not. He’s suitable for this team today, yes. But overall, without offending him, I’ll say that Kabayev is not a player at the level of a club like Dynamo.
Eduardo Guerrero — 7.5
— He tried to be useful, and in the end scored a goal. A good match overall, but not to say he was very active.
When Guerrero was still at Zorya and I worked at Kolos, I considered him a strong player — it was hard against him. When he transitioned to Dynamo, I thought he could really help the team and progress significantly himself. But perhaps his character did not allow him to adapt quickly at Dynamo. He is quite a capricious person, who can quarrel, swear. I placed high hopes on him even last year. Good thing Guerrero has started scoring more or less steadily this season.
— Dynamo made very successful substitutions: three players from the bench organized two goals at the end of the match. How do you rate the play of the Dynamo substitutes in the match against Zrinjski?
— Well, Torres didn’t get much play time, but the rest entered the game very well. Yarmolenko scored a great goal, Shaparenko made two assists in 20 minutes. Even Blenutse finally scored a goal. It will be interesting to see how this goal helps him in the future. I think these players played for a rating of 7.5.
— I understand that you don’t have much optimism for Dynamo’s future after this victory. Can this success in the match against Zrinjski be perceived as situational only, given that the problems in the team and club remain the same?
— I don’t see any system, none. Problems are solved when everything is already falling apart. This regards even the invitation of Kędziorek. So it’s not a systematic club, but rather a family-oriented one.
Dynamo constantly adapts to opponents. The team does not have its own style, sometimes playing with five defenders, sometimes with four. Dynamo acts on the field as the opponent allows — and that’s the end of it. The team has no identity of its own right now.
I follow DYFL and in some age groups, Dynamo is somewhere in the middle of the tournament table! Since when does the Dynamo Academy fall behind? Now they have made a Pro league in DYFL, where there is already a fairly competitive championship, no «left» teams. And Dynamo plays there just as it comes. If Shakhtar tries to play through control, pressing — it’s noticeable what they strive for — with Dynamo, they play only for the result...
I am indeed sincerely glad that the team achieved such a spectacular victory in the Conference League today, but the lack of system in the club is unsettling. God willing, they continue to win on the European stage.
Vladyslav Liutostanskyi
