- Have you got used to demands of new coaching staff? What was your reaction to the appointment of Olexiy Mykhailychenko?
- My reaction was positive. It has turned out he’s a good specialist. Of course, as every coach, he has his peculiarities, so it took us some time to get used to them. Now we understand everything.
- What do you think of defeat against Club Brugge KV in the Champions League qualification?
- It all started with defeat in the first leg. As for the home match, we started it really well, opened the score and could double it, but were unlucky. Of course no one thought we wouldn’t perform in the Champions League. Everyone was really depressed. After that we lost points several times.
- How do you recover after failures, from psychological point of view? Who supports you most of all?
- Of course everyone wants to win, but sometimes defeats happen. I take failures very much to the heart. For example, I was very upset when I got the red card when we faced FC Olimpik Donetsk as it didn’t let me help the team in the following game against FC Zoria Luhansk. Teammates support me when such things happen. We talk about football and other issues.
- You had problems with your ankle late in the previous season? What happened?
- When I picked up that injury, I didn’t know what to do. I had a surgery in May. It was a success. After a while, I started rehabilitation procedures in Slovenia. In two weeks I returned to Kyiv and worked under control of Dynamo doctors. Everything was fine, but when I went to the training camp, I felt discomfort. Doctors didn’t see any problems. I was desperate, even called specialists from Slovenia and Serbia, but no one could tell me what to do. I thought this was the end of my career. Those six months were really tough. Fortunately, everything is okay now.
- What do you think of Dynamo Europa League opponents?
- I had complex emotions after the drawing. First of all, they were related to FC Copenhagen as I used to feature for this team and I have good memories of that period. As for Malmö FF and FC Lugano, they’re also decent teams. I think we have interesting group. Anyway, we want to go through to the next stage.
- What are your personal goals this year?
- I never set certain goals. I just try to benefit the team in every single game. If I have a chance – I attack, if I need to defend – I do that.
- Which top-player do you like the most?
- I really like Eden Hazard. He plays in the same position as I – left winger. One can learn a lot following him.
- Last season you got 5 bookings. Are you a tough player?
- I’m not. Actually I always try to play carefully. Sometimes I’m just unlucky or get bookings for being too emotional.
- Last year FC Olexandria surprised everyone by winning the UPL bronze. Which team can be a surprise this season?
- This year Shakhtar and Dynamo demonstrate the best football. I think these teams will win golden and silver medals. Then come Zoria. I really like the way they perform. It’s never easy to oppose them, especially away. I think they’ll be in the upper part of the league table.
- What do you expect of debutants SC Dnipro-1 and FC Kolos Kovalivka?
- Dnipro is a football city. They have great stadium and loyal fans. It’s always interesting to oppose them. As for Kolos, although they’re from small town, they’re decent team.
- Have you already got used to Ukraine? What do you like and don’t like in Kyiv?
- I like everything here. I’ve totally got used to the new country and city. There’s no significant difference between Slovenians and Ukrainians. For example, in Denmark they have different mentality and it was difficult to get accustomed to it at first. When I came to Kyiv, I made friends very quickly.
- You’ve mastered the language within a short period of time. Do you have any difficulties communicating with teammates?
- There’s no language barrier between us anymore. I studied the language by myself. Tomasz Kedziora helped me as he joined Dynamo earlier.
Svitlana Poliakova, interview for Dynamo magazine #4 (105), September-October 2019
