Dynamo Kyiv head coach Ihor Kostiuk commented on the Ukrainian team’s victory in a friendly match against Žilina, spoke about the arrival of Tomasz Kędziora, and discussed the players’ physical condition.
– National team players returned, and the game immediately looked different: tactically, in terms of distances between the lines, and we were more reliable defensively. Tomasz Kędziora also joined us. This player will add quality and confidence to the team. Our players will improve alongside him. Competition has increased. Today’s performance was much better. Despite playing 60 minutes each, everyone handled the workload, even though the players are currently under daily training loads. We played two intensive halves, but most importantly, we were organized. Game organization is what we emphasized before the match.
– Both opponents in the friendlies were highly competitive and there were plenty of emotions. Is that good during a training camp?
– Of course. When you face an opponent of Europa League qualification level, the team approaches the game differently. Such an opponent brings out different emotions.
– How would you comment on the signing of the new players?
– I have already spoken about Tomasz. He was a conscious choice. I discussed it with the club president. The advantage is that he is already adapted, knows the players, and knows the team. We talked before the signing and agreed that he should be like the coach’s right-hand man, a player who implements the coach’s ideas through communication. We had a problem with communication, and I think he will help us in that area.
As for Mounguengue, he is certainly a quality player. He was the captain of Paris Saint-Germain’s youth team and has experience playing in the UEFA Youth League. He possesses all the qualities needed to create competition for Matvii Ponomarenko, so that we have equally strong options in attack.
– Regarding Lonwijk’s return from loan, has he decided whether he wants to play for Dynamo?
– We spoke with him. You probably heard in his interview that he said the coach trusts him and that he wants to justify that trust. Now we are observing him in training, how he works and how he follows our requirements. Like Mungenge, he will add competition and quality in his position.
– Three more friendlies against strong opponents lie ahead. What objectives do you have for those matches?
– Of course, we need to keep improving our game. Against Žilina we saw mistakes during quick transitions, which is something we focus on. We need to improve our actions after losing possession: how we prepare for those situations and how we transition into attack. You saw today how we scored the second goal and how many times Redushko broke through on the flank. That is exactly the kind of high-speed football the team is striving for.
– Does the heat currently affecting Europe and Ukraine make your work more difficult?
– The qualification matches will be played in similar heat, so whenever we have the opportunity to play training matches under such conditions, it is beneficial. It helps the players’ bodies adapt and get used to high temperatures.
