Dynamo coach expects a tough match in Graz
Main coach Dynamo Mircea Lucescu expects a tough confrontation in the second leg of the third qualifying round Champions League with Storm.
“It will be very difficult, but not only because we don’t have official matches, but also because the players don’t have their families, who are in Ukraine, Romania, Poland.”
“We have to play these matches, but also the players have to see their families and children, spend time with them. But the players are deprived of such an opportunity – this is the most difficult thing. They have to keep playing matches because that is their profession, they have to get results.
We are not playing at our own stadium, without the support of Ukrainian fans. We hold classes on the same field where about 200 children train. But life goes on”.
“In addition, we are almost deprived of the opportunity to make transfers. Several of our players left the team – Verbic, de Pena, Vitinho and others. We continue to train with the rest of the group and count on the graduates of the Dynamo Academy. All Ukrainians are now in our team, plus the Pole Tomasz Kedzera, whose wife is Ukrainian, and she decided to stay in Ukraine.”
“We played the first match against Fenerbahce at home, now against Sturm. If we go further, we will play against Benfica at home too. This is not right, because the opponents have the opportunity to play 120 minutes at home, and we don’t have such a chance – this is another difficulty for us.”
“Indeed, 1-0 is not so much, Sturm can win back, but I hope it won’t come to that. It will not be easy to play two extra periods away from home.”
“For example, the Fenerbahce fans were incredible, they created a great atmosphere in the stands. And we are nominally supported in home matches only by women and children who left Ukraine for Poland during the war.
Of course, it is important for the players to feel the fans behind them, who drive them forward. This is another big problem for the coach and the players who are forced to play in such conditions. But the more fantastic the victory will be, we will be doubly happy.”
See also: Tsygankov, together with Dynamo, went to Graz for the second leg of the Champions League qualification with Sturm
The return match between Sturm and Dynamo will take place on Tuesday, August 9th. The beginning is at 21:30 Kyiv time. The first match ended with a minimal victory for Mircea Lucescu’s team – 1:0.
The winner of the confrontation Dinamo – Sturm will play with the winner of the pair Benfica – Midtjylland in the playoff round of the Champions League qualification.
Source: Sportarena
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