FC Dynamo Kyiv head coach Oleksandr Shovkovskyi answered media questions before the Europa League matchday 1 game against SS Lazio.
- What are your expectations of the new euro cup format?
- Actually this is my first experience in euro cups as a coach, so I don’t know how it was before, but the new format is quite interesting. A lot has been said about how difficult things get for players who perform for their clubs and national teams. They don’t have enough time to recover.
Besides, this formant isn’t really convenient for our team as in January we don’t have domestic league games. This creates extra difficulties. Moreover, one shouldn’t forget about the travel logistics we have due to the situation in our country. Yet it’s interesting to see how the new format works. We’ll have more games against team with different style. Lazio represent one of the best leagues of Europe and fight for top spots. We’re looking forward to an interesting match.
- Lazio have been having some defensive issues lately. How’re you going to use those?
- Lazio scored in every Serie A game this season, but they conceded as well. In the previous match they conceded two penalties and it’s doubtful if those were fair. But for us it’s more important how our team defends and attacks.
One should also understand that the situation in our country adds to our difficulties. It took us 19 hours to get to the hotel in Hamburg from Kyiv.
- You used to oppose Lazio as a player including in Rome. Do you think it’s positive for Dynamo that the game won’t take place at their home ground?
- Being a player and being a coach are totally different things. Besides, it was long time ago. The format has changed, there’s no away goal advantage. The new format makes everyone aim to win each game.
- Lazio conceded eight goals this season with half of them in the initial 15 minutes. Should one expect aggressive start from Dynamo?
- Do you think the game ends after 15 minutes? (smiling) We expect interesting match and we must be focused for over 90 minutes.
