Dynamo’s acting head coach Maciej Kędziorek commented on the Ukrainian Cup match against Shakhtar on UPL TV, in which the White-Blues suffered a 0:3 defeat while playing with ten men.
– A very difficult match for you right away: both a classic derby and a knockout game. On top of that, today you faced many challenges in your new role as head coach. What are your feelings right now? What can you say about this match, as it was effectively divided into two parts – before and after the sending-off?
– First of all, I congratulate Shakhtar on the victory. As for the game, I agree with you. I also had the feeling that, up to a certain point, we controlled the course of the match. Of course, Shakhtar had more possession, but we controlled the game without the ball. We closed down the open spaces and tried to implement our plan.
We already understood how they build their attacks, how they operate in two or three different variations, and we tried to find ways to counter them. I believe that, up to a certain point, they did not create any particularly dangerous chances, while we had opportunities that we failed to take.
But then... I do not want to blame everything on the sending-off, but it is very difficult to play with ten men against Shakhtar, a team with players of such quality. At such moments, the individual skill of the opposition’s players can prove decisive. Shakhtar are currently in good form, and that also needs to be taken into account.
– Dynamo recently played a league match against Polissia, when the opposition were reduced to ten men but still managed to win. Why were you unable to stay in contention for a result today? Did the team believe it could turn the game around?
– Of course, we wanted to progress. We talked about it in the dressing room and understood that this was a good opportunity. You saw the beginning of the match: we had certain chances, although not that many. Our goal was to win this match and advance to the next round. That was the mindset with which we started the second half. But, as I have already said, playing with ten men against Shakhtar in such circumstances is extremely difficult.
– What was the reason for substituting Ponomarenko with Guerrero at half-time?
– We needed a different type of player in attack. Matviy is a very good footballer, but in certain situations we also need other qualities that could help the team.
– Your Ukrainian Cup campaign has come to an end. What is now your main task as Dynamo’s acting head coach?
– The immediate task is to beat Kryvbas. We need to return, recover and prepare for the next match. The players are very disappointed with the result because we wanted to progress. Now we have to do everything possible to prepare as well as we can for the next game. This time, we will have more time to prepare, so we will do everything to beat Kryvbas.
