The ex-coach of the white and blue – about the performance of Dynamo in the Champions League
Famous Ukrainian coach Jozsef Szabo in an exclusive interview with Sport Arena commented on the performance of Dynamo in the Champions League qualification, and also assessed the prospects of the Kiev team in the confrontation with Benfica.
– How would you rate Dynamo’s victory in the match against Sturm?
– They write that it was a hard game. But here everything depends on the Dynamo players themselves. When I watched the match, it seemed to me that the people of Kiev were not very tuned in to the return match. In my opinion, Sturm is not a Champions League team. This is a weak team. Although, yes, somehow they played and could, by the way, win. But that would be unfair, because Dynamo has a stronger team than Sturm.
– How would you rate the physical condition of Mircea Lucescu’s team?
– Many argue and write that Dynamo have no game practice, that they are not yet fully prepared physically. And I oppose such statements. Look how many matches Dynamo played! Yes, these were friendly matches, but the people of Kiev played all the time. And the proof of this is the game of Dynamo in extra time duel with the Austrians. Dynamo footballers ran fresh in extra time. This suggests that the people of Kiev are already physically ready for the new season. Therefore, there is more psychological and moral aspect.
– Do you think that Dynamo did not properly tune in to the return match with the Austrian team?
– I am sure about that. Although I don’t know what and how Lucescu determined in the pre-match setup. Yes, the people of Kiev had ball control, but there was no speed. And after a missed ball, the people of Kiev somehow perked up, some attacks began. And in extra time, the Dynamo simply ran over the opponent’s skating rink!
– Your words about a certain relaxation are confirmed by the episode when, after a shot on goal from Dynamo, Buschan spoke with Dubinchak in a raised voice, expressing his criticism.
– Well, yes, Bushchan is already a kind of commander of the Dynamo. A goalkeeper is a goalkeeper. Why am I talking about this? So I watch the match and ask myself at some points: what happened to the Dynamo team, have they already passed or what? Even before the match, I said that the people of Kiev, even in the current situation, cannot lose to this opponent. Because when I saw the game of the Austrians, I realized that this is a weak team. I’m talking about the fact that they do not have speeds, that gross mistakes are made when receiving and passing the ball. This suggests that Sturm’s team is weak, and not at the level of the Champions League.
– Garmash could have scored in the extra time of the second half and Dynamo would have immediately advanced to the next qualifying round.
– Of course, it would be better if Garmash scored. He played well with his head after a corner, but hit the crossbar. But the guy will not understand in any way that it is impossible to talk with the judges. And what to talk about with them if he does not know the language. Any person will be indignant and say: “I will kick you out now!”. Therefore, you can not behave like that on the field.
– By the way, Garmash, like Sidorchuk, will miss the first match against Benfica. Will it affect the game of Kiev?
– I think that the absence of Sidorchuk in the match with Benfica will be a loss. Why? Because there is no second Sidorchuk in the team. For me, Sidorchuk in Dynamo and Stepanenko in Shakhtar are pure defensive midfielders who, if their partners fail, will definitely meet the enemy, and so on. And here comes the question. Who, in the absence of Sidorchuk, can play a defensive midfielder in Dynamo? I don’t see such a player. Shaparenko? He is not made for this and he does not have the discipline that these midfielders have. Shepelev? No, absolutely! So I don’t even know who will play Sidorchuk’s position.
– What are the chances of Dynamo in the confrontation with Benfica?
– With Benfica it will be a very serious game. I want the people of Kiev to pass the Lisbon, but they will not pass Benfica. With such a game, they will not pass the Portuguese. Yes, Dynamo will fight back, but Benfica is a scoring team. She will definitely score. This is the top team!
– Benfica scored 11 goals in three opening matches of the new season. Confident victories in two matches with Midtjylland (3:1, 4:1) in the Champions League, as well as a devastating victory in the first round match of the Portuguese Championship with Aroca (4:0).
– Yes Yes! They score all the time, Lisbon scorers. And Dynamo doesn’t have a central striker. I don’t know, really for all the time the people of Kiev couldn’t find a driving footballer?
– At least Dovbik would be lured away?
– Well, yes, at least Dovbik was lured away. For him, it seems, it would be necessary to pay 12 million. But that’s too much.
– Do you think the Tsygankov factor can work? In the return match with Sturm, he scored an assist and a goal. After all, he has already become the leader of the team.
– I respect any footballer. As for Tsygankov, I will say that I feel sorry for him. Because he grew in level, and then he started getting injured. And, God forbid, so that Tsygankov does not get injured until August 17th. Why is he not invited to other clubs? Coaches see that the player is often injured. Why buy it then? He hasn’t taken shape yet. Now, if Tsygankov gets in shape, then maybe he will show his level. But so far it hasn’t.
– And the factor of an experienced Lucescu can play into the hands of the people of Kiev?
– Lucescu himself is lucky. Well, just lucky! (laughs). Sometimes when I watch matches, I laugh. Because things happen that shouldn’t happen. But this may be good for our team. Although, I think that Benfica Dynamo will not pass. Benfica is a top team, not an easy opponent. I want Dynamo to pass, but this is unlikely to happen. Benfica are a scoring team. Lisbon will definitely score. They all run, we know the Portuguese well. They defend well and are good at tackling. But anything is possible!
Dmitry Kotkov
Source: Sportarena
I am Sandra Jackson, a journalist and content creator with extensive experience in the news industry. I have been working in the news media for over five years. During this time, I have worked as an author and editor at various outlets producing high-quality content that attracts readers from different demographics.
