Dynamo U19 midfielder Ousmane Savane from Mali shared his impressions of his first weeks at the club and in Ukraine and also spoke about playing for “White-Blues” youth team:
— Welcome, Ousmane. This is your first interview in Ukraine. Let’s get to know you a bit. You turned 18 a month ago and signed a contract with Dynamo. Tell us how you ended up here and why you chose Kyiv.
— I really like this club and I hope to spend more than one year here.
— It’s known that scouts from Sturm Graz (Austria), Cádiz (Spain) and Rapid Vienna (Austria) were following you but now you are a Dynamo player. Did you immediately accept Dynamo’s trial offer?
— I believe Dynamo is the club where I can develop in order to represent my country, for example at the World Cup.
— You arrived in Ukraine last autumn but couldn’t play because you were under 18. Now you’ve been registered and made your debut. Tell us more about your first match for the U19 team.
— I’m very happy with my debut here and hope that with hard work I can prove that I deserve to play for the first team and achieve success here - first with the youth team and later with the senior side.
— You also gained match fitness in other competitions, including the Volodymyr Muntyan Cup. What is Ukrainian football like for you?
— In my opinion it stands out for its physicality and aggressiveness. Football in Ukraine is more aggressive and the physical level is higher.
— In Mali you played for Bamako. You’re considered one of the most promising players in your position at your age. What differences do you see between Malian and Ukrainian youth football?
— Of course, youth football is different from senior football but I’d also mention the weather conditions as a difference. Still I’m sure I’ll adapt - I just need a bit of time.
— Different sources say you play in various positions - attacking midfielder, winger, forward. Which is your natural position?
— That’s true, I can play as a right winger, left winger or behind the striker. But I’d say my main position is right winger.
— What are your strengths? Ukrainian experts have noted your speed, technique and coordination. What can you use to surprise opponents?
— I would highlight my dribbling and shooting power.
— You played for Mali at the U17 Africa Cup of Nations. What is your main ambition as a footballer?
— Of course, I want to become a great player. I hope that, thanks to my hard work, Dynamo will be the beginning of my journey.
— Tell us about your adaptation at Dynamo. What have you learned during your time here?
— I like everything. I was warmly welcomed by the team and the group. If I have any questions or problems, people ask me about them and try to help. They check if I need anything. I think this is the best place for my development.
— We know that after this interview you’re going to a Ukrainian lesson. How do you communicate with your teammates?
— Yes, we have Ukrainian language lessons twice a week. In everyday life, if there are communication difficulties, we use our phones for translation.
