FC Dynamo Kyiv head coach Mircea Lucescu and forward Vladyslav Vanat answered media questions before the UEFA Europa Conference League qualification play-off round second leg against Besiktas JK.
Vladyslav Vanat
- What do you expect of the upcoming game?
- I expect only qualification for the next stage. Besiktas are really good team, but we know their weaknesses and we’ll try to use those.
Mircea Lucescu
- Mister, we’re glad to see you in Istanbul again. You know what the atmosphere at this stadium is like. How are you going to get your players ready for that?
- Besiktas fans are incredible. The atmosphere here is fantastic. They apply pressure on opponents and contribute to success of their team.
I guess we should show our players what happened as Besiktas hosted Leipzig. A player left the field as he couldn’t handle the noise. We have a lot of youngsters, who haven’t experienced that yet. We’ve been playing behind closed doors for two years already.
- Welcome to Turkey! After the first leg you said you have a lot of academy trainees on the team. Is that a kind of advantage for your opponents? Are you players ready for the game?
- We’re ready. We did well in the first leg although Besiktas are very good team. They conducted a number of significant transfers and formed a solid lineup. As I’ve said, we did well in the first leg and lost only due to certain episodes. But we created good chances and could score more. I’m sure we’re ready for the upcoming game.
- You are familiar with the Turkish football. Who’s going to win the Turkish league in your opinion?
- Today the Turkish league is one of the best in Europe. They sign experienced performers from top leagues here. That enhances the quality of football, attracts fans and television.
But I also think they should do more for the national team here as four leading clubs of the country have few Turkish players. Turkey must always be represented at top contests. But it’s difficult to form a strong team under such circumstances. I can say that as I worked here for six years.
