- Current team is achievement of coaching staff. They took into account mistakes previous gaffers made. Rebrov is a young talented specialist. He wants to work and learn something every day and make headway.
We’ll face Manchester City FC in the Champions League next round. They are really good team with a lot of stars, but Rebrov has told me we’ll get ready for forthcoming matches and we’ll look worthily. We’ll fight. I think both sides have equal chances.
Anyway this season we also had failures. This is the match against FC Shakhtar Donetsk first of all. I think we lost even before players took the field.
Generally I can characterize this season positively, but there must be no euphoria. We must get ready for the year 2016 properly.
- Were you totally sure your decision was right when you appointed Serhiy Rebrov as Dynamo head coach?
- Rebrov was Blokhin’s assistant coach and did his job with dignity. I saw pain in his eyes when the team suffered from failures. After Blokhin left Dynamo I thought I should let him be in charge of the team till the end of the season. I had one night to think that over.
Late in that season we featured in the national cup final. I knew Rebrov is not a wizard, but what I saw was players’ dedication and team that knew what to do on the field.
After that I had a talk with Rebrov. I asked: “Are you ready?” He didn’t say he would win domestic league at once, but he said he would be working properly and he would try to make headway together with the team. We shook hands and signed a contract. The task was to win the UPL, Ukrainian Cup and to qualify for the Champions League. He did that.
It’s great when coach has some philosophy, rules the team in a modern way and knows what he wants. I see great atmosphere in the team. I think Rebrov is the coach Dynamo need.
- What can help Dynamo make headway considering that domestic league is getting worse?
- You are right. Our league has problems, but we must hope war will be over soon and everything will be fine. Anyway FC Dynamo Kyiv are going to stay on the top.
Today we pay special attention to our reservists. That’s why we’ve invited Spanish specialists to Dynamo. That’s really beneficial. As you know, Dynamo U-19 have reached he UEFA Youth League play-offs.
What I think is that we should believe in Ukrainian players. Have a look at Rybalka, Sydorchuk or Harmash. Veloso is Portugal international, but he doesn’t have regular starting spot.
- It’s quite obvious that today Dynamo youngsters aren’t afraid of famous European teams, such as Chelsea FC…
- That’s right. I was present at Dynamo U-19 away match against Chelsea coevals. Our youngsters must aim for the main squad.
- They say people, who caused the conflict at Dynamo home match against Chelsea, have been arrested. Will you make their names public?
- We’ve lodged the appeal and I can assure you that there was no racism in that situation. Anyway it’s terrible that Dynamo loyal fans must suffer because of bunch of bastards.
I always count on decent supporters, especially Ultras. We used to have problems with them, but we don’t have any more.
As for our appeal, we can only ask for something, but not demand. I can swear for Dynamo staff and even for Ultras that everything will be fine, but how can I swear for some rascals?
Three people have been arrested and their names will be made public. We must struggle against such problems together.
- Which matches can you call perfect for Dynamo? Which players are making headway most significantly?
- Almost the whole team is making headway which is really impressive. I can’t name particular performers. Today we have a real leader – Andriy Yarmolenko. Everyone tries to help him and he tries to benefit the team. I think Dynamo are sole mechanism.
As for our best match, I guess it was away game against FC Porto. It’s really memorable. There were some mistakes, but believe me, this team has great potential.
Still we also had failures like matches against Fiorentina and Shakhtar. When we opposed Donetsk side we lacked Rybalka and Khacheridi, who are very important for Dynamo.
- Barclays Premier League managers’ top priority is domestic title. What are Dynamo priorities this season?
- Our priority is to go as far as we can in the Champion League. It’s not a secret that thus we can earn quite significant sum of money.
- How difficult will it be to preserve current squad?
- It’s right to preserve current squad as we know what these players are capable of. If we sign new performers we can’t be sure Dynamo style will fit them. For example, Younes Belhanda is a really high profile player, but he says he’s got used to play in a different manner.
It will be difficult to preserve this squad as they follow our team. In summer it’s even more difficult to make players stay.
- If they offer you big money for your player what can prevent you from letting him go?
- My priority is success of the team which gladdens fans. Our club has particular aims. It would have been wrong if we let Yarmolenko leave the team last summer, for example. Andriy understood that. Me and my brother talked to Andriy and proved him he should stay.
Leader is vital for any team. Yarmolenko agreed and signed new contract. If we get new transfer offer that is beneficial for everyone we’ll find common ground!
- Today it’s difficult to invite high profile foreign performers to Ukraine. What can make them move here?
- It’s always difficult to sign high profile foreigners, but today we have extra problems. Today people know that seven hundred km from Kyiv the war is on. What’s important is that Ukrainian players have realized they have a good chance.
Still it’s not always difficult to persuade players move here. Basel president told me it would be hardly possible to make Derlis Gonzalez leave Switzerland for Ukraine, but I talked to this guy and he said he isn’t afraid. He wants to make headway and perform for the team that has ambitious goals. Derlis scored very important goal in Portugal and performed two assists in Israel.
- Recently Aleksandar Dragovic was asked about possible transfer, but he answered: “I perform for FC Dynamo Kyiv! Here players have all the necessary conditions to make headway”…
- Dragovic and Danilo Silva are foreigners, but they are like Ukrainians to me. So is Teodorczyk… He had serious injury, but he didn’t give up. He’s a really good striker and he can become Poland national team first team regular. Rebrov believes in him. If we have such foreigners and talented Ukrainians we’ll get worthy team.
- How can Ukrainian football go through current tough situation?
- Football Federation and Premier League must think it all over. For example, FC Metalist Kharkiv can be helped by local authorities. Thus we can save this team. Anyway we must preserve Ukrainian football and hope tomorrow comes better day.
We’re thankful to fans, who sent their questions to FC Dynamo Kyiv Facebook page:Andriy Bohdanets, Vitaliy Velychko, Bianco Verde, Romeo Podilskyi, Hlib Melnychuk, Yevhen Kanon, Osyp Bandura, Borys Kiсhol, Yevhen Leshchuk, Viktor Yevtushenko, Yevhen Safronov, Vitaliy Yerusalymets, Olol and Vitaliy Shkurak.
* photo by V. Rasner
Copyright © 2015 FC Dynamo Kyiv
