The return match between Dynamo and Salzburg will take place tomorrow, August 27
Head coach Dynamo Alexander Shovkovskiy attended a press conference ahead of the return leg of the qualifying playoffs Champions League against Austrian Salzburg.
“First of all, I would like to join in the words that Vladimir Brazhko just said: this morning we were all upset by the massive shelling in Ukraine. What has been happening in our country for the last ten years and two and a half years of full-scale Russian invasion leaves an imprint on all our thoughts and feelings. We do not separate ourselves from Ukraine and our people, even though we are abroad. This is very difficult, and God grant that no one ever feels this way again.”
“How well is the team prepared for tomorrow’s match? We have coolly analyzed the result of the first match, made certain conclusions and will try to do everything in our power to solve the task before us.”
“How do we manage to concentrate on football matches, looking at the events that are currently happening in Ukraine? You must understand one thing: as I have already said, we never separate ourselves from the Ukrainian people. The situation is extremely difficult now: many cities and villages are left without power, because the strikes were carried out on critical infrastructure. In some cities, the air raid siren lasts more than 15-16 hours, and in the frontline territories it continues almost constantly. Many of our defenders are football fans, they support Dynamo, other clubs, so we strive to do everything possible to give them at least a little positive emotions, because this is very important to them. Therefore, we will do everything in our power to perform well within the principles and rules of fair play and turn the tide of this match in our favor, regardless of how unfavorable the result of the first game was for us.”
“Is the team ready to surpass the opponent in the desire to achieve victory? To be honest, this is the best that we can do. We hope to show that under any circumstances, in any situation, no matter what happens around us, we will always go to the end and strive to do better in what we can do. No matter how difficult the situation, we, Ukrainians, will never give up. I think this message is important for everyone. It was like this when our athletes competed in the Olympic Games, and I hope it will be like this everywhere and always.”
Let us recall that the first, nominally “home” match in Lublin, was lost by Alexander Shovkovsky’s team with a score of 0:2.
The upcoming game will be officiated by a team of referees from Turkey, headed by Umut Meler.
The return match between Salzburg and Dynamo will take place at the Red Bull Arena on Tuesday, August 27. Kick-off is 22:00 Kyiv time.
Source: Sportarena
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