FC Dynamo Kyiv head coach Oleksandr Shovkovskyi answered media questions at the press conference the day before the Europa League matchday 4 game against Ferencvarosi TC.
- Dynamo don’t have a single point or even a goal scored after three matchdays. Tomorrow will be the first time you face a team not from one of top 5 leagues. Do you feel pressure regarding the fact that you have to win?
- Every coach wants to win. Sometimes we do, sometimes we don’t, this is football. Our opponents also have certain goals. Every game implies some agitation. We analyze our opponents and the way they play both as a team and individually.
- What do you think of Ferencvarosi? Have you got any advice from Serhii Rebrov, who used to work with this team?
- For the past six years Ferencvarosi consistently succeeded in domestic league and performed on top level. Last season they had a significantly positive goal difference. Unfortunately the coach who won the league with Ferencvarosi last time went to the country attacking us. The new gaffer is from the Netherlands. Under his charge the team demonstrates decent football, maintains possession and doesn’t concede a lot. Ferencvarosi have their own style. I think tomorrow we’ll witness a very interesting game.
- You’ve got a lot of youngsters on the team. Do you have a lack of experienced performers?
- Under current circumstances we can’t enforce the team we want to, so we can only count on our trainees and other Ukrainians. Obviously that affects our football in a way. While we’re talking here, the air raid alert is on in Ukraine, including Kyiv.
The Europa League is a great experience for our youngsters and a chance to feel what kind of level this is. If we want to move ahead, we need to improve and oppose top teams. It’s very important for Ukraine and Ukrainian football to demonstrate that we’ll always fight for what we value, no matter what.
- This is going to be your second game in Hamburg. How difficult is it to play abroad and do you feel at least a bit like home here?
- Obviously things would have been totally different if we played in Kyiv, in front of our supporters. We would like to thank this city for hosting us and doing their best so that we felt like at home here. Generally I want to thank the whole Germany for support we constantly receive from you.
- You have tough opponents in previous games. Do you feel you have a real chance to grab three points tomorrow?
- We treat every game very seriously, study our opponents and always take the field to win. As for predictions – that’s what journalists do.
