Former player of Poltava «Vorskla» Ivan Sharyi shared his thoughts on the recent unsuccessful results of Kyiv’s «Dynamo» in the Ukrainian Championship. Recall, the capital team lost the last three matches and now is 10 points behind leading «Shakhtar».
Ivan Sharyi— The team is in a deep crisis. Dynamo’s players are in disarray, they have psychological problems. Players come onto the field without confidence — neither in themselves nor in each other. That’s why, in the last nine rounds, eight matches resulted in lost points — five draws and three losses. After losing to «Shakhtar,» the Dynamo players started to «sink.»
— And where might they end up?
— They’ve already «ended up». In seventh place. Well, it’s not critical yet because there are sixteen teams in the Premier League, and there’s still a long way to go to the bottom of the standings. The current position is the golden mean.
What can you do, there are such deep slumps. But in my opinion, Dynamo’s crisis is too long. Between the draw series and the losing series, the Kyivans only beat «Kryvbas.» Eight matches with lost points don’t suit Kyiv’s «Dynamo.» This has never happened in their Ukrainian history. Yes, I understand when Kyiv sometimes loses derbies to «Shakhtar.» But to lose three games in a row...?
Meanwhile, the same «Shakhtar» is already 10 points ahead of «Dynamo.» Now, there’s nothing left for the Dynamo players but to lick their wounds, recover — both physically and psychologically. Let them rebuild their confidence; after all, they know how to play.
— What, in your opinion, can shake the team up?
— Perhaps, first, they need to relax a bit and each player should reflect on themselves to see how and what, reconsider their attitude, and so on. On the field, a little more dedication is needed to show that this is a team, and not each for themselves. Yes, of course, every club makes mistakes, but such a downturn has started that «Dynamo» cannot get out of. It’s time to get out on the football field — and play. To really play. And set pride aside, their «ego.» So that the team is like one and everyone fights for each other.
Previously, there were two consecutive defeats. But three is too much. In this situation, it’s even difficult to suggest anything to the Dynamo players. They themselves should understand and know this. After all, many «Dynamo» players play for the national and youth teams of Ukraine. Therefore, it is necessary to get out of this crisis, throw off the psychological burden.
— These recommendations have been voiced by many specialists since the summer when «Dynamo» was surprising with a «minus» on the Euro stage.
— As I said above, teams do experience such slumps. And in this situation, we can only sympathize with the Dynamo players. Although it’s high time for them to really gather and end with unsatisfactory results. Otherwise, they will lose to everyone — «LNZ,» and «Kolos.» It seems that soon «Poltava» will come to the capital and beat Dynamo.
— Many talk about the need to replace Oleksandr Shovkovskyi with a tougher and more authoritative specialist.
— What does authority have to do with it? Moreover, who can be that authority?
— Well, say, Yuriy Vernydub or Myron Markevych.
— Shovkovskyi is no straightforward guy either. I think he has enough authority. Say, this or that authoritative specialist comes, and if not everything suddenly works out for him, he might say: «I need time.»
In my opinion, during the winter break, which is coming soon in the championship, «Dynamo» might strengthen itself with qualified masters and still catch up with the top three. There are many games ahead. And giving any advice like «Remove this or that player,» that’s not for me. I am convinced that the Dynamo players themselves can get out of this situation.
— It seems that the Dynamo players should no longer think about the championship?
— Yes, it’s difficult to count on the championship, of course. But they can fight for a place among the medalists. In terms of competing for the «gold,» Dynamo can only be helped by the case when «Shakhtar» might have the same eight unsuccessful games they had. That is when «miners» suddenly have a slump. However, personally, I don’t think «Shakhtar» can allow themselves that.
Andriy Pisarenko
