Experienced Dynamo utility player Oleksandr Karavaiev spoke about the team’s preparation for the resumption of the season and shared his observations on how young players are adapting to the first team.
– We are professionals and did the work assigned to us by the coaching staff during the training camp. We still have two matches to play on February 14 with each player getting a full game. Then we’ll return to Ukraine and, of course, continue preparing for the championship.
– You’ve been part of Dynamo’s structure for many years and have gone through this preparation process under different coaches. What is the main difference in the work of the coaching staff led by Ihor Kostiuk compared to previous managers? What new things have you noticed?
– Every coach has their own vision, ideas and strategy. Preparation under one coach can differ significantly from another. There’s no need to say who is better or worse but training camps under any coach are always tough because that’s when the foundation is laid – especially physically – so that during the championship and official matches you have good endurance and can last through every game.
– What kind of Dynamo will fans see in the second half of the season?
– Hungry for victories because we have a significant gap from first place. So in every game we need to play only for the win – as we always should. We will work to correct the current situation.
– A large number of young players are currently training with the first team. How do they feel in the squad and are they comfortable asking you for advice?
– You’d have to ask them how they feel (smiles). But I think everything is fine. We really have good communication between experienced players and the youngsters. We constantly talk – sometimes we approach them with advice, sometimes they come to us with questions. It’s all part of the working process.
– What usually motivates young players?
– A huge motivation is simply being here, being called up to the first team. I think everyone, starting from the Academy, wants to reach the first team. If you don’t have that goal, why even play football? Of course, there’s a great desire to play and prove themselves because they’re just at the beginning of their football journey. I remember myself at their age – you have that spark in your eyes, that fire burning inside and you want to show everything you can do. That enormous desire, which all young players have, is the most important thing.
