- What do you value in Wien when you return from Ukraine?
- I was born and grew up here. When I finish my football career I’ll return here. Every time I come home I’m glad to hear the native language and to enjoy food in local cafes.
- There’s about 1000-kilometer distance between Kyiv and Wien. Has the situation in Ukraine changed your outlook?
- It has, as I see what Ukrainians do every day for their country. I have really great respect to these people, who defend their motherland. Still we must focus on football as it’s our job.
- What was the atmosphere in the team like after triumph in the Ukrainian Cup? You’ve got the trophy, but there are still problems in some regions of the country. Does it make your joy a bit restrained?
- It does. We didn’t celebrate the win in the city. Anyway we’ve managed to gladden our supporters with victory against Shakhtar.
- It is the sixth trophy you’ve won within five years though you are only 23. What does it mean to you?
- It makes me proud, but I always performed for good teams. I’ve also never suffered serious injuries.
- It proves that you always chose good variants for transfers.
- As I featured for Basel trophies weren’t something unexpected. The last year was the most difficult in my career. It wasn’t easy to win the Cup considering the change of head coach and other factors.
- How has your first season in Ukraine influenced you?
- It has had an impact on me in every respect.I’ve improved my physical conditions and skills of centre back, person and leader.
- It seems that there’s no use expecting great forward movement from Ukrainian football. What do you think about that?
- For example FC Shakhtar Donetsk are the best team I’ve ever faced. They have a lot of Brazilians in their squad, who possess good speed and technical skills. It’s difficult to perform in Ukrainian Premier League as a lot of attention is paid to physical conditions here. Anyway I’ve learned a lot from my Dynamo colleagues.
- Your contract with Dynamo will be valid till 2018. What are your plans for the nearest future?
- At the moment I’m focused on matches for my national team. We are in for important fixtures, which will let us to get ready for Euro-2016 qualifiers. After that I’ll have a vacation. It won’t last long as it’s necessary to prepare for the Ukrainian Super Cup against Shakhtar.
- Have you already had a talk with club direction about what happens in case the 2014/15 UPL doesn’t start?
- On Sunday presidential election will take place in Ukraine, which is important to me. We’ll see what happens after that.
- Does it mean that you have nothing against changing the club?
- If there will be some variants we’ll analyze them, but only if it makes sense. I’m satisfied with everything in Kyiv. It’s a great adventure and experience for me. My dream is to win the UPL with Dynamo.
- What are you going to do in coming days? National team first and after that – some rest?
- That’s right. I want to win two friendlies with Austria (on May 30 against Iceland, on June 3 against Czech Republic). One must work hard to deserve the regular starting spot in the national team. After that I’ll have rest.
* photos by V. Rasner
