Next Thursday, November 23, Kyiv’s «Dynamo» will play against local «Omonia» in Nicosia in the 4th round of the main stage of the Conference League. A day before the game, a pre-match press conference was held by the head coach of the Ukrainian team Oleksandr Shovkovskyi.
Oleksandr Shovkovskyi— Can you tell us the condition of the team and who will not be able to participate in the match?
— Brazhko has joined Yarmolenko, Shaparenko, and Bilovar in the infirmary after the game with «Kolos.» An examination was conducted, which showed he has a rib fracture. Therefore, we will not be able to count on him soon either.
— In light of the recent negative results, have you had a conversation with the club president? Do you feel a vote of confidence from the management before the match against «Omonia»?
— You know, undoubtedly, the results are disappointing for all of us, and for the team as well. There is a constant dialogue with the president, we constantly discuss various topics — both regarding results and regarding the team’s play. It’s important when there is constant support from the management, but, of course, we must understand that we need to improve both individual actions and the team’s overall play. We must not make the mistakes in the organization of play and in individual actions.
It’s always pleasant when there is a result, but sometimes it’s completely different. And it’s at such moments that it’s important for the whole team to be a united collective, aimed at improvement. We need to bravely go through this difficult period, which happens in the life of every player and every team. But we have many players in the team with great experience, with the ability to play football, with a passion for victory, with a desire to do everything possible to achieve a positive result, and, most importantly, to work on this — both individually and by helping each other. It is at such moments that it is revealed how ready the team is, that the team has character, the team has the desire to change this situation.
I think they are all ready, they understand everything and are ready to show their best qualities and character. And here it is very important to be confident in your actions, in what they do, and in the certainty that we will definitely overcome this difficult path.
— What would you like to say to the fans in light of these negative results?
— I have heard this question before. I can say that your support is very important for the team right now.
— In the recent matches, «Omonia» has had a streak of poor results, the team has not yet won in the Conference League. But today Henning Berg at the press conference said that the team deserved better results in those matches where they did not score maximum points. How would you assess the level of this team compared to «Pafos,» with which it is now competing for the top spot?
— As for our opponent, it’s one of the, you could say, biggest clubs in Cyprus, which has been consistently playing in international tournaments lately — in the Europa League, Conference League. The coach has returned under whom the club had some of its most successful years, winning both the championship and the Cup, and playing quite successfully. The team drew two games — 1:1 each, and lost one game — 1:0. They lost the lead in the last match of the Cyprus championship, falling to second place.
We have watched many matches and videos of how the team works, we prepared for this game. I want to say that we are also dissatisfied with the results we have, and we believe that things could have been different under certain circumstances. We are well aware that this will be a very important game not only for «Omonia» but for us as well. I am confident that the 11 players who take the field tomorrow will come out wanting to show their best qualities, wanting to play with heart, with soul, and do everything possible to win.
— Do you expect an open game?
— I expect diligence, efforts to play with heart, to play smartly, with confident aggression on one side, and thoughtfully on the other. I think our opponent will have the same mindset.
Finally, I wish everyone a quiet, peaceful evening. You know, the day before yesterday was a very difficult night for Kyiv, for the entire country. I want to express my support on behalf of myself and the team and the desire for your sky to always be peaceful and calm. And for this war in our country to end as soon as possible. Certainly, with our Victory.
