FC Dynamo Kyiv head coach Oleksandr Shovkovskyi answered media questions at the press conference before the Champions League qualification play-off round first leg against RB Salzburg:
- Could you please tell us about the role of the fans in tomorrow’s match, considering that this is the third consecutive qualifying round that you start with a home match?
- Of course, when you aren’t playing at your home stadium, NSC Olimpiyskyi in Kyiv, which can accommodate 70 thousand fans, everything is different. But we thank Lublin for the fact that the city responded and gave us the opportunity to hold our home matches here, as well as for the fact that it supports us and does everything possible to make us feel at home here. This means a lot in terms of emotions and feelings. We hope to see even more supporters in the stands tomorrow to support us against RB Salzburg. We are very grateful to them, it’s important for us. We play for the fans to bring joy to people, and for our part, we’ll do everything possible to make our people happy with a bright game and, of course, the result.
- Twente scored two goals against Salzburg after corners. Dynamo have players like Denys Popov who’re got at headers. Do you think it’s your chance?
- This is one of the chances that might occur, but the game consists of many factors including defensive and attacking organization, transition phases. We’ve analyzed our opponent and we’re ready to play.
- They say it’s going to be raining during the game tomorrow. Do you take that into account?
- We’re getting ready for the game taking into account what kind of team we oppose, what their strengths and weaknesses are. There’s nothing we can do about the weather. We must stand our ground.
- What are Salzburg strengths?
- They’re young ambitious team that plays fast football, tries to impose their game. We need to be ready for danger from all their attacking line and defend orderly. Except for last season, they constantly won the domestic league and performed in the Champions League. This means a lot.
