FC Dynamo Kyiv head coach Mircea Lucescu answered journalists’ questions after the match against SL Benfica in Lisbon (0:3).
- Mister, were Benfica the toughest team in the Champions League qualifiers this season?
- Our biggest problem was not Benfica, but the situation in general. We used the academy players, but they aren’t ready for this level yet. We have 19-year-old Zabarnyi, 20-year-old Vivcharenko, 22-year-old Syrota. As I said before, Benfica are doing much better than us, but we mustn’t make such mistakes. The score could be even 0:6.
Benfica deserve this victory. I congratulate them and wish them a good Champions League campaign. They play spectacular, dynamic and disciplined football.
- How far can Benfica reach in the Champions League?
- As you know, our players haven’t been at home for two months and haven’t seen their families. It’s hardly possible to find another team in a similar situation. Today Benfica are much stronger than us, but so far it’s too soon to tell if they can win the tournament.
- What are your expectations of the new football season in Ukraine that will be played during the war?
- We want to live and keep playing football. Sports achievements are not the priority under these circumstances, but it’s very important not to give up and to keep playing. On Wednesday we’ll go to Lviv, then – to Kyiv, after that – back to Europe. A lot of time on the road is another issues, but I hope players will recondition mentally after this game.
- Are Dynamo ready for the UPL start?
- We’ve lost some important players due to injuries – Popov, Tsyhankov, Harmash, Andriyevskyi. But after they get well, they’ll help the team go through these rough times.
- Are Dynamo the strongest team in Ukraine now that Shakhtar have lost a number of key performers?
- One shouldn’t compare Shakhtar and Dynamo as Shakhtar can sign high profile performers like Neres and Traore. Dynamo have been laying emphasis on academy trainees since I took charge of the team. It’s not that easy.
I’m sorry Shakhtar have lost their players. This season will be tough for all of us. We don’t know what can happen, whether there will be shelling as we play. But we must keep playing.
