Romanchuk: Tsygankov and Shaparenko did not show their class in the match against Fenerbahce

Former defender of Dynamo and the national team of Ukraine Alexander Romanchuk – appreciated the first match of the second qualifying round of the UEFA Champions League, in which Dynamo and Fenerbahce played a draw in Lodz.

– For Dynamo players, this was the first official match in 2022. How did you see the team after such a long pause?

– Indeed, our football players have not played official matches for more than 7 months. I think that, in general, our guys looked decent. It is clear that the thought of the war unleashed by Russia in our country sits in the head of each of the players. And even despite this, the Dynamo had a good fight.

– Looking at the starting lineup, everyone was surprised by the appearance of Vladislav Dubinachak on the left flank in defense. What can you say about the performance of this young football player? Moreover, this position on the football field is familiar to you.

– I know that this was the first game for him in the Dynamo Kyiv shirt in the first team. Although he is already 24 years old. In the first half, he was one of the most active in our team. Perhaps in the second half he got a little tired and did not go forward so actively. Now he needs to work hard and hard.

– Will he grow into a second Mikolenko?

– So often they say that he can look like one of the star players. Has anyone become a second Shevchenko, Zavarov, Rebrov? No. Times change, football evolves. Same with Dubinchak.

– How would you rate the final 0:0 in Lodz?

– I think that a draw in the first game is a very good result. We didn’t know a lot about the current Dynamo (I don’t take control fights into account). There was an interesting game against Fenerbahce, we were looking for a chance in attack. At home, the Turks will rush forward. There is no other way to play at their home arena, Sükrü Saracoglu. On the contrary, we will have chances in counterplay. The home stadium of Fenerbahce is considered one of the noisiest in Europe. The pressure on our guys will be palpable. I think that Mircea Lucescu will change something in his tactics for the second leg.

– And yet, if you look at the statistics of the game in Lodz, we see that Dynamo never hit the guests on target, while Turkish players disturbed Buschan six times …

– Statistics are not always in favor of one or another team. And there is no match for match. In the attack, all hopes for Besedin. It is clear that he gives volume, fights with rivals. But the striker must score goals. Although we remember that Artem suffered a serious injury. Let him not score in Istanbul, but let his partners score. Nobody will mind.

– Why by the 72nd minute, when the guest coach Jesus made all five substitutions, Lucescu – none?

Yes, you rarely see this. You need to ask Jesus. On the one hand, the Portuguese specialist took a big risk by changing the line-up so drastically. It seems to me that he wanted to add speed to his players. After all, it is well known that after the 70th minute the lion’s share of goals is scored. And why didn’t Lucescu make substitutions for a long time? He saw the condition of his players. In my opinion, no one really fell out of the team game. For me, the fact that the central defender Popov was replaced in the 83rd minute of the match was surprising. It is rare when a player in this position is changed. But here everything worked out.

– In your opinion, who was the best Dynamo player in the last match?

— I like Bushchan’s confidence. This calmness is transferred to his partners. Except for Kendzhera, all Dynamo defensive line players are very young. But Zabarny, Popov and Dubinchak acted in cold blood.

– And who dropped out of the game?

– Maybe they didn’t fall out, but they didn’t show their whole class. It’s about Tsygankov and Shaparenko. All fans expect more from them. There were different situations on the football field, but they have to lead partners. Tsygankov has little success in the Champions League. Viktor and Nikolay played in June for the national team. They got some playing practice. They have a different demand. We need to play more actively, because the requirements for the strongest are different.

– In your career, you have faced Turkish clubs and national teams several times. What do you remember about the atmosphere in Turkey?

– Yes, I remember in September 2008 Dynamo Kiev played 0-0 in Istanbul against Fenerbahce. It was a Champions League group stage match. We arrived at the stadium two hours before the start of the game and the stands of the stadium were packed. How fans support their idols. After the end of the game, dissatisfied with the final result, they threw stones at our bus.

I was also with the youth team of Ukraine in the stands of the stadium in Istanbul, when our national team beat the Turkish team 3:0 in the selection for the 2006 World Cup. Remember, the miracle passed Rykun and Shevchenko’s goal. I think that all our players on the eve of the return match in Istanbul need to be psychologically prepared for this important match.

– Who is the favorite of the confrontation between Dynamo and Fenerbahce?

– If before the first match I would say that the Turks have a slight advantage – 55% to 45%, now the chances are equal. Even in such a difficult situation, Mircea Lucescu knows how to prepare his charges. After all, no one will appreciate the psychological state of the Dynamo players because of the war. Where are their relatives and friends now.

In the second leg, no one will play for a draw. Everyone needs to win. It is very important for Dynamo to survive the first 15 minutes of the game. Bulk, from the side of the hosts, will be crazy. You need to calm the enemy and not throw out all your emotions. Many used to call Fenerbahce the pair’s favorite. They intensified in the summer, and a new head coach was invited. To be fair, Jesus is a great specialist. But we see that the devil is not as terrible as he is painted.