Dynamo forward Matvii Ponomarenko commented on the victory over Veres in an interview with UPL TV.
– Why did today’s game turn out to be a nervous one for Dynamo?
– Matches in Rivne are always difficult for us – usually there are minimal victories and even once there was a draw. Veres are a fighting team that imposes a physical style of play. Of course, this cannot serve as an excuse, but it was a little difficult for us after the trip because we played our previous match only a few days ago, and this could have had an impact. The main thing is the victory and three points. I believe that going forward we will progress and show a higher-quality game.
– What goals did the coaching staff set before you came onto the field?
– To score a goal, of course. To help the team by imposing the fight in attack and try to score.
– Is there a difference in the approach to European matches and league games?
– No, we need to win every game regardless of the tournament. Especially since we finished fourth in the UPL last season, so we want to fight for the gold medals. I think we are capable of bringing the championship trophy back to Kyiv, and we will do everything possible for this. There is absolutely no lack of motivation; the boys always give one hundred percent.
– Immediately after the penalty was awarded, you took the ball. Did you feel confident and want to take the penalty?
– I came over and said that I was ready to take it. I knew that I would score. The boys wished me good luck and said that they believed in me. I coped with the pressure and converted the penalty.
– Do you set a goalscoring target for yourself for the season?
– I want to break Mkhitaryan’s record, and we’ll see what happens. (This refers to Henrikh Mkhitaryan’s achievement for the number of goals scored during one national championship season (25), set in the 2012/13 championship. – Ed.).
