Dynamo Kyiv midfielder Oleksandr Pikhalonok commented on the team’s home defeat (0:1) to LNZ Cherkasy in the Ukrainian Premier League:
– I’m not satisfied with the result and also with the fact that we created almost no chances near the opponent’s goal. To be more precise – there were very few. We struggled to make the game more dynamic. LNZ played with a low defensive block – 5-3-2 – and such defenses are very hard to break down. Unfortunately we couldn’t manage it today.
We also allowed too many counterattacks. Almost every time we lost the ball we had to sprint 60–70 meters back. It’s very exhausting especially when players are positioned incorrectly on the pitch. The same thing happened during the goal we conceded – we lost the ball, they played a pass into open space and again we had to make a 60-meter recovery run.
– Is it especially frustrating to concede right before halftime?
– Yes, of course – it’s always frustrating to concede. But we knew this match would be tough. The opponent had a full week to prepare so they were a bit fresher. Still that’s no excuse. When you wear the Dynamo shirt, every match is important – I’ve said that many times. Unfortunately today we lost because we created too few chances and allowed the opponent to create too many.
– LNZ have been a real “tough nut” this season – they’ve beaten Shakhtar, were third in the table and are now even second. When preparing for the match, you probably understood it would be a difficult game?
– Of course. It’s always hard to play against them. In general it’s tough against teams coached by Vitalii Ponomariov – I remember this even from when he worked at Rukh Lviv. His teams always fight hard, players give their all and they defend very well one-on-one. Unfortunately we lost deservedly today.
– Did the missile attacks the day before affect the team’s mood, preparation or performance?
– Of course, to some extent they do. We often travel to Poland for matches and, when we wake up there, the first thing we do is check the news because my family, for example, is still here in Ukraine. Naturally it affects you emotionally. And when we return to Ukraine the situation here impacts everyone as well. But everyone in the Ukrainian league is in the same conditions – almost every city experiences air raid sirens, explosions, rockets and drones. The conditions are equal for all.
– You’ve been included in the reserve list for Ukraine’s national team ahead of the decisive 2026 World Cup qualifiers. What are your expectations for the match against France?
– We just have to go out and play. It’s clear that matches against France are always very difficult, especially away from home. It will be tough, no doubt. But we have to fight and then – whatever happens.
