We’ve asked the player to tell about his motherland, hometown and share his impressions of life in Kyiv.
- Derlis, you’ve already spent two years with Dynamo. Have you got used to Kyiv and Ukraine?
- I’ve already adapted. It took some time, but now I feel that life in Kyiv is usual for me. I spend all my free time at home with family, so I’m comfortable here.
- Do you know you’re the first Paraguayan player in Dynamo?
- It’s great to be the pioneer. It’s an honor for me and I try to represent my country decently.
- What difficulties have you had in Ukraine? Who helped you with adaptation?
- Frankly speaking, when I just came to Kyiv it was very difficult. I faced new culture and language. Now I’m fine. I’ve made good friends, who always help me if I need something. Danilo Silva, Moraes, Antunes and Miguel made my adaptation easier.
- Do you rent an apartment? Where do you live? Are you comfortable there?
- Like the majority of Dynamo players, I live in Novopecherski Lypky district. I like it there. I rent the apartment, but the club partially pays for it. It’s a good prestigious place.
- Do your wife Karimi and two daughters live with you? How do you cope with your parental duties?
- Yes, my family lives with me in Kyiv. My wife and kids like it here too. I feel their support which helps me a lot. After games and training sessions I hurry home. As for my parental duties, I fulfill them in all.
- Do people mostly live in their own houses or in apartments in Paraguay?
- They mostly live in their houses, so I was surprised to find out the situation is totally different in Ukraine.
- What does your sister Male do?
- She’s a singer performing cumbia which is a popular style in our country. When she comes here, she attends Dynamo home games. She says that’s impressive.
- You’ve already tasted Ukrainian cuisine. What dishes do you like? Maybe you prefer traditional European food?
- I eat Ukrainian food sometimes, but frankly speaking I prefer Paraguayan cuisine. Anyway, I eat at the training complex all the time. For example we liked to order eggs with Antunes – for breakfast and lunch.
- What peculiarities of Paraguayan culture have you taken to Kyiv?
- First of all that’s terere tea (similar to mate but prepared with cold water and ice rather than with hot). They drink it from special glasses.
- Do you still have language barrier?
- I still have problems with that. I don’t speak your language or English. That’s why mostly I communicate with Moraes and Pantic, who speak Spanish. I also used to communicate with Antunes, who’s already left the team.
- You come from the town of Mariano Roque Alonzo. What’s special about it?
- It’s a small town located only 18 km far from Paraguay capital – Asuncion. It’s like Kyiv and Brovary. Mariano Roque Alonzo is industrial town, but the majority of people work in Asuncion. We have a high level of unemployment. I guess situation is the same in Ukraine. Many friends of mine still live in my hometown and I visit them when I have a chance.
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