FC Dynamo Kyiv gaffer Oleksandr Shovkovskyi answered media questions after the game against FC Chornomorets Odesa (1:1) which secured the league title for the White-Blues.
- Congrats on winning the league. Did you expect the game against underdog to be so tough?
- Firstly, congrats to all Dynamo fans on the 30th league title. It was a difficult path. I’d like to thank the team, staff and everyone supporting the team. I also want to thank haters – they motivated us even more.
The major challenge before this game was to help players recover emotionally after the Cup final. On one hand three days is enough, but I read some experts saying that we covered 96 km on the regular time against Shakhtar. Well actually it’s 115. And about 30 more in extra time. We knew that teams like Chornomorets that fight for their UPL spot always do the best they can. We also realized the game would be tough as it was extremely important.
- Yarmolenko took a penalty this time. Did you discuss that before the game?
- We never discuss that before the game. If a player feels confident, he takes the penalty. So it was the decision of the team including Andrii.
- Since they opened this stadium in Odesa in 20212 a lot of Super Cups were played here. What do you think of the local infrastructure? Let’s hope Super Cups will be played in Odesa again.
- I wish those were played at all. The city like Odesa must be represented in the Premier League. Relegation of Chornomorets is a major loss for the league. I’m sure they’ll be back to the UPL.
- Are you going to celebrate the title today?
- Frankly speaking, it’s hard to celebrate on the bus on our way home. The team gets two days off, so I’m not sure about celebrations yet. Besides, what celebrations are we talking about when the war is on in our country.
Once again, congratulations on the title, everyone. I’ve thanked our players. I hope peace comes to our country soon and our stadiums will be full of fans.
