The coach of 'Dynamo U-19' Ihor Kostiuk commented on the narrow 1:0 victory in the first match of the UEFA Youth League 'Path of Champions' 3rd round against Scottish 'Hibernian'.
Ihor Kostiuk (photo: fcdynamo.com)— It was a tough game due to the quality of the pitch, as there have been rains. Moreover, as the end of the first half of the season is approaching, the players were somewhat fatigued. Specifically, we saw how Redushko performed in the first half, having come from national team matches. Also, as the winter break approaches, Andreiko started to tire a bit, which is why in the first half we didn’t play the way we planned.
There were many instances where we could have created chances and concluded attacks, but just fell short, there were errors. During halftime, we made adjustments, changed the strategy a bit — transitioned to slower attacks, utilizing the flanks, switching the ball from one flank to another. We reached the finishing zones — and this brought results.
We were supposed to score a few more goals, but only managed one. The advantage is small, but we will go to Scotland with it and will think about how to play there. Our opponent is a very strong team that transitions well into attack and causes troubles — this was exactly what we feared. But in the second half, we closed our gates, made adjustments, and brought the match to victory.
— Once again, central defender Vladyslav Zakharchenko scored, having already made his mark in the previous match against 'Brommapojkarna' at this very stadium and the same goal. Previously from a penalty, now — from a corner. Does this mean that set-pieces are working?
— We positioned well, reached the zones where our players needed to deliver the ball. There were also good crosses, after which attacks could be concluded: first, second, third moment. And I told Zakharchenko: «These are your favorite goals — the second consecutive goal.» Well done. This goal turned out to be the winner in today’s match.
— In the first half, the opponent had several moments, including a rebound almost into an empty net, but the ball went over. Can we say it was luck?
— Yes, it was luck. I said: we emphasized to the players that the opponent transitions well into attack between the lines, accelerates well. When we lose the ball, we had to quickly reorganize and not allow them to accelerate attacks. But fatigue showed: we started playing short passes, in slow tempo, near the opponent’s penalty area. We didn’t plan this, and it led to counter-attacks to our goal, one of which nearly resulted in a goal.
We emphasized this during the break, and the guys listened. There was only one turnover when Redushko and Andreyko played a short pass, and the opponent’s counter-attack ensued, but overall nothing significant happened after that.
— Today Nazar Ivaskiv wasn’t on the field due to injury, and unfortunately, there was a forced substitution of Danil Degtiar due to injury. What about him?
— Degtiar missed a few weeks, and it shows — he cannot play two full halves. Danil had a two-week break, naturally, his physical form declined. After an injury, one needs to regain condition, but for now, he can’t last the entire match. Plus the quality of the pitch — we played on a very soft field, and two days ago trained on an artificial one — these transitions also make a difference. But there are substitutions, and they worked, so we brought the match to its logical conclusion.
— There are three more matches left to play in this calendar year: two in the championship and one — in the UEFA Youth League, against 'Hibernian' in two weeks, away. Perhaps it will be easier in Scotland if the weather conditions are better?
— The quality of the pitch plays a big role because if it is bad, the quality of play suffers greatly. In Scotland, it is better. I was there, I saw their match against '2 Koriku' — it’s a good stadium with crowd support, light music. I think it will be an interesting experience for the guys.
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