FC Dynamo Kyiv president Ihor Surkis has commented about the UEFA Youth League drawing, told about preparations for the game against Inhulets and work of the club in these trying times.
- Today Dynamo U19 got the UEFA Youth League round of 16 opponent. What do you think of the drawing outcome?
- There’re only best teams left in the competition, so there were no weak opponents we could get. We’re satisfied with the drawing. We defeated Portuguese side Benfica this season – 4:0. These days the team is getting ready in Turkey.
Recently I talked to Mircea Lucescu and he said he would let several players, who currently work with the first team, join Dynamo U19.
Let’s also not forget that a number of performers will return after suspensions, injuries and COVID-19. In the game against Deportivo we couldn’t count on 5 players.
Personally I believe that, having covered such a long way, our team will go the extra mile.
- On February 26, Dynamo are going to host FC Inhulets Petrove at the Dynamo Stadium. What’s going on in terms of the venue of this match?
- We didn’t have any preliminary agreements with Inhulets concerning the second round match in Kyiv. In August, Inhulets president Olexandr Povorozniuk asked me if we could play the first round game in Kyiv while the second round fixture – at the new stadium in Petrove. But it has turned out they won’t finish construction of the stadium by the game against Dynamo. Besides it’s not clear what’s with the stadium in Kropyvnytskyi. I don’t think it’s Inhulets fault. Things like that happen sometimes.
Last Friday we were sure we would face Inhulets away, so we didn’t start getting the Dynamo Stadium turf ready. But things changed. The heating system works in full force. The field will be ready for the game.
- What are the chances that Dynamo Stadium field will be of decent quality on February 26?
- It will be of perfect quality. We work on that 24/7.
- The situation in the country is very intense. There’s even panic. How does the club work these days?
- No one is going to leave. I think these days it’s important to stay calm. If you panic, you’ve already lost. I’m going to work in Kyiv. Besides I want to visit Dynamo first team and Dynamo U19 at their training camps in Turkey.
There’s no panic at all. We’re calm and ready for different scenarios. I believe that everything will be fine in our country and I invite fans to the stadium. Our teams need their support and energy. Both Dynamo teams will do their best to gladden people.
