Kozhanov: This season is very difficult for me, on vacation I will need to heal all my injuries

Kozhanov – these are incredible memories of the classic Carpathians from the times of the UPL and European competitions. This is a former player of the national team of Ukraine. Finally, this is a multiple winner of PFL competitions – both in individual and team categories.

Now Denys is the most experienced player of the updated Carpathians, who took part in all three goals of the Lviv club in the match against Vyshgorod. This did not go unnoticed by the jury. The hero of the 11th round in the First League, Denis Kozhanov, shared his impressions of the Karpaty’s victory over Dinaz (3:2), and also analyzed his performance in the autumn part of the season.

– It is always a pleasure to win in this honorary nomination, – said Kozhanov Sport Arena. – This means that my work in training is bearing fruit. However, first of all, the result of the team is important for me.

— In the game against Dinaz, the Karpaty had the opportunity to secure an early entry into the championship round. Did you keep this in mind before the meeting?

– Of course, we knew about it, but did not focus attention. We tried to play bright football, which would help to achieve the result. The coaching staff did not focus on this. We are happy that we were able to snatch an important victory.

– You started the previous two matches from the bench. What is the reason?

– There is good competition in our team, each of the players is ready to play from the first minutes. In addition, I had a microtrauma that did not allow me to play the entire match. During several matches, the result of the team was brought by the replacement players. This testifies to the strength of the players of the Carpathians. Healthy competition is good.

On the day of the match with Dinaz, the coach said that I would play from the first minutes. I told Andrei Tlumak that his health would allow him to be in the starting lineup. For example, before the game with Bukovina, I told the coach that I could not play, because I felt discomfort. It is good that the coaches understand that it is better not to risk the health of the players.

— Your team actively started the game, but conceded a funny goal. Did this conceded goal anger the team even more?

– Indeed, we conceded an illogical goal. However, we did not give up and continued to play our football. We got angry and tried to at least level the score before the break. Satisfied that we were able to score in the locker room.

– At the end of the half, after your serve from the corner, Ivan Kohut scored. Do you agree that standards are the most formidable weapon of the Carpathians?

– It’s good that we have footballers whose anthropometry allows them to score from set pieces. We try to make the most of our strengths. Ivan successfully played on the rebound and calmly sent the ball into the net. It was a beautiful and at the same time important goal.

— What did Andriy Tlumak say during the break? How did your game change in the second half of the meeting?

– The coach noted the moments in the game that did not allow the team to play better. It’s great that they were able to add in the second half.

– In the 65th minute you converted a penalty. How important was this ball for you personally in psychological terms?

– Psychologically, it was very important to score after a long pause. The previous penalty did not score, so he had to be rehabilitated for this failure. In addition, he added positive emotions to the team and himself.

– Due to what did Morarenko manage to recover so quickly after the missed ball?

– Until the last second, I believed in victory, because our team played better. Due to faith in their own strength, they managed to score three points.

– In the last minute after your serve, Repeta scored. Perhaps a victory in this style is even more valuable?

– It’s good that we win, but I want to avoid nervousness in the last minutes. Yes, we have won several strong-willed victories this season. However, the result is on the scoreboard. We know how to put the squeeze on the opponent in key moments.

– Have you already congratulated Yuriy on his debut goal for the Karpaty at the professional level?

– The whole team in the locker room congratulated their partner. I want him to score as much as possible.

– You scored two goals this season. Were you counting on more, or are you now primarily focusing on team play?

“You always want to play better and score more goals. This season is very difficult for me. At the beginning I was injured and this did not allow me to play to the fullest. On vacation, you will need to heal all your injuries and return fully armed in the spring.

– How satisfied are you with the level of play of the Karpaty?

— In my opinion, the Karpaty are progressing and demonstrating a meaningful game. Of course, there are failed matches, but we are working on ourselves. However, there is still something to strive for. We have a number of young players who have a great future.

• BLITZ
• I was born in the city of Gornyak, Donetsk region
• I am a pupil of the Children’s and Youth Sports School Mariupol
• My first coach Nikolai Mikhailovich Chernenko
• Favorite team in European championships – Barcelona.\
• I like the football that Neymar demonstrates
• My football dream for the near future is to reach the Premier League together with the Karpaty. However, the most important thing is Ukraine’s victory in the war.

Yaroslav Krokha