- Of course we’re looking forward to the Champions League start as it’s a very prestigious competition. It’s very important to win the first match to cover the whole distance successfully.
- The majority of experts state that Chelsea FC are the much-fancied side of the group…
- I don’t agree with experts. I think Dynamo are.
- What can you say about your first opponent FC Porto?
- Before the game we’ll analyze Porto play in detail. We are familiar with Portuguese football as last season we faced Rio Ave. Portuguese clubs are really skillful.
Besides lasts season Porto opposed Shakhtar, so we followed this team. I watch the Dragon’s matches from time to time as an old friend of mine Yacine Brahimi performs for them. I don’t think the loss of several key players will influence Porto seriously. They are top level team.
- Dynamo will start and finish the group stage with home matches. Is it good for you?
- Sure, it is. I hope fans will support us with full house and that will give us motivation in the first match. It’s also good we’ll play the last game at home arena. If we’ll be lacking points to qualify for play-offs by that time fans’ support will give us strength.
- Is the Champions League your priority this season?
- I think the UPL will be our priority as without triumph in domestic league we won’t perform in the Champions League next season. Still Champions League is also very important as the whole world follows this competition.
- How far can Dynamo reach in the Champions League?
- We have very good team at the moment, so I think we can reach quite far. At least we must get out of the group.
- Have newcomers signed in summer adapted to the team?
- All new players feel the rhythm of the team. I can’t call some of them newcomers as we used to oppose Junior Moraes and Mykola Moroziuk in the UPL and we knew what they are capable of. Derlis Gonzalez has no problems with adaptation as we have several players, who speak Portuguese.
- What do you think of the start of current season and your conditions?
- I didn’t take the field often early in the season. The thing is I couldn’t do my best at the training camp as I’m a religious person and I followed Ramadan rules. Anyway I feel I’ve almost regained my best conditions.
* photo by V. Rasner
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