Dynamo Kyiv midfielder Samba Diallo spoke in more detail about his return to the team, his motivation for the winter training camp and his future prospects with “white-blues”.
– The team has started training. This time it was the first session in heavy rain. What was it like for you?
– Yes, we’ve now begun preparing for the second part of the season. I believe that right now the most important thing is not the weather but to stay focused and have good training camp so that we’re ready for the second part of the season.
– What emotions did you have when you returned to Dynamo after your loan spell?
– I can say that a lot has changed for me. A coach has arrived whom I previously worked with in the youth team. He knows me and I know him. That’s why I’m very motivated now. As I’ve already said the main thing is to go through the training camp well and give everything, show our best qualities, in order to prepare as well as possible for the second part of the season.
– Which players help you the most with adapting after your return?
– I wouldn’t say that I need to adapt again because I’ve been with the team for quite a long time. I worked with Ihor Volodymyrovych before so now the most important thing is simply to listen to his advices and requirements and do what he asks.
– How high is the competition in your position right now and how do you feel about it?
– Not only in my position but in all positions you can see that the competition is very high. That’s why we’re here — to give everything, work at maximum, show our best qualities and help the team achieve results. The championship is long so I’m sure everyone will have a chance to prove themselves.
– Did you have a conversation with the head coach about your prospects in the team for the second part of the season?
– Yes, we spoke before the vacation. He told me to stay in shape during the break and not to slack off because the fact that we worked together in the youth team doesn’t mean I’ll have a place in the first team now. Everything depends only on me. I have to show myself as well as possible during the training camp, work hard and then maybe I’ll get my chance.
– How do you assess your current physical conditions at this stage of preparation?
– It so happened that in the summer I spent a lot of time without match practice. Now I feel that I’m starting to return to my good physical condition.
– You and Aliou Thiaré watched the Africa Cup of Nations final where Senegal played against Morocco. How did you support the team? It seemed like neighbors didn’t sleep.
– Aliou and I went through almost all youth national teams and guys who are now playing for the senior national team are our friends — we know them well. We wanted to pass on our mood and give them extra support. We hope that it also helped them win.
– Who will make their debut for the national team first - you or Aliou?
– I can’t decide; it’s hard to say. Maybe it will be me or maybe Aliou. Maybe we’ll debut together. But everything is in God’s hands and everything depends only on us — on how hard we work and how we show ourselves. And then may God help us.
