Dynamo head coach Ihor Kostiuk answered journalists’ questions ahead of the first match of the UEFA Europa League second qualifying round against PAOK.
– What are your expectations for the match?
– Of course, we studied PAOK. With the arrival of their new head coach, there is not too much information available because the team’s strategy has changed. We analyzed the head coach’s statements and their friendly matches, as it is possible to track the team’s new style of play.
At the moment, there is no final understanding of how PAOK will play, but we are preparing for different tactical systems with various ways of using their players, and we are analyzing each footballer individually.
– What is the situation with Mykhailenko, Tymchyk and Lonwijk? Will they be able to help the team on Thursday?
– At the moment Mykhailenko and Tymchyk are training individually. Lonwijk is working with the main group and is preparing for the match.
– Which PAOK players would you single out?
– The whole team deserves attention, so I will not single out anyone individually. PAOK have individually strong footballers. We are analyzing this and doing everything possible to neutralize their strengths and prevent them from playing their football.
– Left-back Kostiantyn Vivcharenko remains unavailable due to injury. At the same time, Dynamo recently strengthened the competition on the right side of the defense by signing Oleksii Sych. What is the current situation regarding competition on the left flank of the defense?
– Everything is fine, there is competition. As for Kostiantyn, he will undergo a more detailed examination. Only then will we be able to talk about the severity of the injury and understand how much time he will miss.
– In the past, a common tactic in European competitions was for the home team in the first leg to try to build the biggest possible advantage in order to defend it in the return match. Is that approach still relevant today, or has it become outdated considering that Dynamo are effectively playing both matches away from home?
– I will quote Valerii Vasylovych Lobanovskyi: “Any tactic has the right to exist if it brings results”.
