Dynamo midfielder Vladyslav Kabaiev shared details of his recovery from injury and spoke about his impressions of the start of the summer training camp in Austria.
– Tell us about how you are feeling now. What stage of recovery are you at?
– To be honest, it’s difficult to say what stage I’m at because my recovery has been prolonged. Recently, I went to Munich to see the doctor who performed the operation. He said there is still fluid in the joint and it needs to be removed. I received the necessary injections and was fitted with special insoles for my footwear to improve the distribution of load.
I’m doing everything I can to return to training as soon as possible. Together with the other injured players, I train twice a day in the gym, but I haven’t been out on the football pitch yet. I also spend a lot of time cycling so that my muscles get used to the workload.
– How difficult is it psychologically to be under restrictions and work separately from the team? How important is it to stay close to the team even at a moment like this during the training camp?
– It is always difficult when you cannot help the team and play. I come to training sessions, but my leg still doesn’t allow me to play football.
I always come to the training base when the team gathers so I can see the players, the coaching staff, and the medical staff, and complete the necessary procedures with the rehabilitation specialist. I try not to lose touch with the group. I’m very pleased that I went to the training camp, am recovering here, and am in such a pleasant atmosphere.
– When do you expect to return to the football pitch?
– I would be ready to go out even tomorrow, but once I rushed things and ended up needing surgery. Together with the coaching staff and the doctors, we decided that for now I should focus on recovery work in the gym. I hope that in five or six days I will be running on the pitch.
– Where are the physical demands greater — during individual recovery or while working with the team?
– I think the workload is greater with the team because it is very hot outside. I have seen how tired the guys are after training sessions. But my workouts are longer in terms of time. When you are working alone in the gym without a ball, you realize that this is not what you love football for. Yes, it is difficult and unpleasant, but it is part of football. I understand why I am doing it.
– What can you say about Dynamo’s first sparring partners at the training camp?
– Our opponents are of high quality. I liked the first half against Slavia, although we dropped off a little in the second half. But this is a training camp, and the team is playing under heavy workloads. It will be interesting to watch the game against Žilina.
