Head coach of Dynamo Ihor Kostiuk answered questions from the media ahead of the 6th round of the UEFA Conference League match against Armenian side Noah.
- Ihor Volodymyrovych, now you are the full-fledged head coach of Dynamo. How did you learn about this? Did you have a conversation with the president?
- I had a conversation with the president yesterday during which he informed me about the appointment. It was a lengthy discussion. I learned about it yesterday and today it was announced publicly.
- What are the team’s injury concerns? Who will definitely not play tomorrow?
- We still have the same injured players. Unfortunately, our captain Vitaliy Buialskii, Denys Popov and Kristian Bilovar are out. Aliou Thiare will also miss the game due to an accumulation of yellow cards. Everyone else is preparing for the match.
- During your conversation with the president were there any specific tasks or goals set for the second part of the season?
- I’m a person who doesn’t promise quick miracles but I promise honest work, clear processes and that the team will not be ashamed of its performance, neither today nor tomorrow.
- You know Dynamo youth team very well. Are there chances for any of young players to be promoted to the first team, to play regularly and become a full-fledged member of the squad?
- Yes, of course. You have already seen that youth players are being integrated and each of them is a potential player who, in the future, should become a full-fledged member of the first team. We count on them. I will rely on players who are ready to win, regardless of their age.
- Recently Vladislav Blănuță has not been playing – he has missed the squad twice and remained on the bench. Are you counting on him?
- Vladislav had some family issues and requested time off to go home. As for the squad we have two or three fully fit forwards and that’s why we selected players who had more playing time and would be more useful for the team.
- In which position in the attack do you see Andriy Yarmolenko?
- He will play wherever he is most useful.
- Have you managed to get used to the team in such a short time?
- Of course it’s a short time but, as I’ve said before, I’m happy that players have embraced the idea. We can already see small changes and that’s encouraging.
- Last week Dynamo played against Bosnian striker Edin Džeko and this week you’ll face another Bosnian forward Nardin Mulahusejnović. What can you say about him?
- Džeko didn’t score against us. I believe that Mulahusejnović won’t score against us either. We’ll do everything we can to prevent him from scoring. But he is a strong forward. We’ve watched him and know what to expect.
- What is your opinion about tomorrow’s opponent Noah?
- Of course, they are a strong team. Noah has a large number of quality foreign players. It won’t be easy but we are studying their strengths. I won’t comment on their weaknesses, though - that’s something we’ll discuss with the team in our tactical meeting.
- Is the loss of Popov and Thiare significant for Dynamo’s central defense?
- Of course it’s a loss but in our last match Zakharchenko and Mykhavko played in those positions. So I think we’ll manage and it won’t be critical for us.
