Former midfielder of Kyiv Dynamo Sergey Kovalyov shared his thoughts on the current problems of his former team. Recall, the 'white-blues' lost three consecutive matches for the first time in the history of the Ukrainian championship and as a result, dropped to 7th place in the league table.
Sergey Kovalyov
— Alexander Shovkovsky’s team allowed its main competitor for the gold medals, Donetsk Shakhtar, to extend the lead to 10 points. How did you react when the Dynamo team lost three league matches in a row?
— It’s worth recalling last season’s experience. From the perspective of performances in the Europa League, where the team played not confidently enough, although it was negative, the management had already set the task to win the championship. It’s clear that the team has many young players who gained experience in European competitions. However, the current season shows that the team, unfortunately, is not demonstrating the expected results both in Europe and in the league, which both fans and the club management are waiting for.
Why? In my opinion, Dynamo lacks aggression — in duels, in ball interception. There is a lack of game fury. And also of character because in football it’s essential to show character. But all the problems, it seems to me, lie within the realm of psychology. If the team concedes a goal, then it’s hard for them to fight back. We remember well how many goals Dynamo conceded at the end of matches.
So, in this situation, it’s hard to wish the Dynamo players anything. Speaking of the 10-point gap, whatever is said, it’s challenging to overcome such a difference. Especially when Shakhtar has stabilized its squad, found its game, and is on a roll.
— How do you see Dynamo’s further tournament path?
— As banal as it sounds, the club management must decide: what to do and how, and where Dynamo will move next. Now, after three defeats, the situation is complicated. It’s clear that the head coach is responsible for the result. But the fact that there is a need for reinforcement is obvious.
Moreover, serious reinforcement. Last year, Dynamo signed Rubchinsky, Bragara, Pikhalega, and Guerrero, and this year, they invited several legionnaires — Blanuta, Tiarez, and Ogun. As we see, the club may sign players, but no one creates competition. And there was the loss of Vanat, who was the top scorer of the past two championships. He left, and a problem arose: there’s no one to regularly score goals.
So, I repeat: the situation is quite challenging, and I would talk more about the playing aggression of the players. It’s clear that the coach is responsible for the result. But there are experienced players like Yarmolenko, Karavaev, Buyalsky, Kabaev who could take some responsibility. It’s impossible to play like this. Five draws and three defeats throughout the first round are not the results that fans and club management expect.
Vyacheslav Kulchytsky
