FC Dynamo Kyiv defender Denys Popov has told about preparations for the game against FC Zoria Luhansk and shared some personal news:
- Have emotions settled after the game against Vorskla? How are you getting ready for the next game?
- Yes, we switched right after the game. There were lasting air raid alerts, but we don’t have time to think of that. We’re feeling positive as we won the previous match.
- Dynamo will play the postponed game against Zoria on Thursday. Does the tight schedule impact your training process?
- Sure, it does as we have less time to recondition and get ready. That’s why the exercise load has been slightly decreased.
- What’s your training schedule like? What do you mostly focus on?
- We’re having one session a day and mostly focus on reconditioning.
- What was your session about today?
- We practiced certain defensive issues. Nothing extraordinary, just a bit more time with the ball.
- You finished the session a bit in advance today. How come?
- I’ll still go to the gym to do some extra work with physical trainer.
- What do you expect of the game against Zoria? Dynamo faced this team recently. Has anything changed since then?
- I heard they had some conflicts, but I think they’ll do well. They’re good team, so we’re getting ready thoroughly. We’re positive, aiming for victory.
- Technically this will be away game for Dynamo, but it will take place in Kyiv. Is it better to play at home ground?
- Of course it is, especially in front of supporters. But safety is the major priority.
- It seems lately you’re extremely motivated due to certain family news.
- Yes, we’re expecting which is very important to us. That’s why I’m very motivated to reach my goals.
- After scoring against Zoria recently you put the ball under your jersey. Was this for your pregnant wife? How did she react?
- Yes. Of course she saw that. She really wanted me to score and celebrate this way.
- Probably it wasn’t easy to do as you’re a defender.
- Yes, it’s a bonus. What really matters is that the team won. It doesn’t matter who scored.
- Yesterday you had a gender party where you found out the sex of your baby. Can you tell if it’s a boy or a girl?
- I can’t. We agreed not to tell until the baby is born. Only family knows.
- What was the event like?
- It was in a family circle. Nothing special, we just found out the sex of the baby and had dinner.
- In three days after the game against Zoria, Dynamo will have another one. Quite a schedule isn’t it?
- It’s better to play more often. On the other hand, we have less time for reconditioning, so we really need to focus on that.
