FC Dynamo Kyiv head coach Oleksandr Shovkovskyi answered journalists’ questions after the win against Rangers FC in the Champions League 3rd qualifying round second leg (2:0).
- First of all congratulations to all Dynamo fans. It’s a very important win, important emotions for our country, for our supporters. We knew things wouldn’t be easy today, but we also knew we could now step back as we have our own goals. I think it was vital to cope with the pressing early in the game and feel the game rhythm. We told players they must play football and that there probably can be some provocations, but they must stay calm.
- Two jokers did the job – Pikhalionok and Voloshyn. What did you tell them before they took the field?
- It’s much easier to play when opponent is outnumbered. We tried to enforce the pressure from the wings, to increase speed. I felt we needed to introduce certain adjustments. When I told them will stay between us. Substitutions did the job, but most importantly players were ready to take the field and enforce the team which is what they actually did.
- Is this the most important win in your coaching career so far?
- It’s really important, but as of now it’s history already and we’re moving on, facing our future.
- Your colleague Philippe Clement said the red for Rangers player was the worst referee’s decision he’s seen in 30 years. What do you think of that?
- I’ve seen worse. There’re certain rules all teams stick to. If a player gets hit on the face, it’s at least a yellow. It wasn’t a direct red, it was the second yellow. Maybe their passion played a trick with the home side. Rangers players were very motivated, sometimes it seemed to me that they were even aggressive. And I totally understand that. This is football, will to win. If we take a look at history, will to win is in the blood of Scots and Ukrainians. But playing such a competition players should stay calm, especially if they already have a yellow.
