Churko: If Guerrero had scored everything from my passes in the games with Minaj and Metalist 1925, I would have equaled De Bruyne in assists

Experienced midfielder Zarya Vyacheslav Churko commented on his team’s victorious match with Metalist 1925, appreciated the play of Eduardo Guerrero, and also shared his expectations from the match with Dynamo.

— Vyacheslav, there was a two-week pause in the Ukrainian championship caused by national team matches. How did Zarya spend this period of time?

— We were in a good mood preparing for the game with the Kharkov team. Yes, several of our young football players (Yatsyk, Gorbach, Pain, Batagov – approx. S.A.) left for the youth teams. There they received playing practice and, upon returning to Kyiv, were able to rest a little.

— Did this two-week pause do Zarya any good?

– I think no. If it weren’t for the well-known issue that was discussed in our club before the game with Dynamo, then we would not have released the Dynamo team that day. But, I need to back up my words with the game this coming Thursday, when we will fight Dynamo again in the missed first round match.

— Zarya on business won against Metalist 1925?

– I think so. Zarya is stronger than Metalist 1925. The Kharkov club has a good roster and a qualified coach. We understood what they could do and what they couldn’t do. They told us everything in theory. The main thing was to block the center of the field. The opponent plays as a diamond in midfield. Gabelok and Yurchenko lead the entire game for Metalist 1925. Our task was to block these players who have good passing. We knew that our opponents were good with the ball and vulnerable without the ball.

— Your forward Guerrero scored again. Did it burst?

– Don’t know. If he scored five goals today, then I would answer in the affirmative. He had plenty of chances. He scored two difficult goals, but did not score three easy goals. If he had scored everything from my passes in the games with Minaj and Metalist 1925, then I would have equaled De Bruyne in terms of assists. And so…

— At the end of the game he was replaced. For what reason?

“It’s obvious that Eduardo was tired and asked for a replacement. We all know how he can score. Perhaps due to the hot weather he was unable to realize his potential.

– But Guerrero is from Panama, where it’s always warm…

— The fact is that it has become sharply warmer in Ukraine. It was cold, but here the sun and + 23. You need to get used to it. I think that within a week we will get used to this weather.

— Was this a fundamental match for Viktor Skripnik and Maxim Imerekov? They were in Zarya before…

— I read Skripnik’s interview before our match. He said no. It turns out so.

— How will you play against Dynamo without several loaned players in the next match?

“Our coaching staff will come up with something.” Although, Yatsyk is a main team player. We have a lot of qualified guys. I think everything will be fine.