Dynamo Kyiv midfielder answered questions from the media during a press conference ahead of the UEFA Europa Conference League match against Zrinjski at Arena Lublin.
– Oleksandr, last week the team played two tough and important matches against Shakhtar. Have you already managed to fully refocus on the European game?
– Indeed we played two very difficult matches against Shakhtar. We won in the Cup but unfortunately lost in the league. Sadly the referee didn’t award what I believe was a clear penalty but that’s football…
Today, we analyzed our opponent during a theoretical session. I can say that they’re a good combative team. Tomorrow we expect a very interesting battle.
– Marijo Pušic made a comment ahead of the game, saying: «They don’t take European matches too seriously because their only goal is the domestic league and the Ukrainian Cup». How would you respond to that?
– That’s not true. When you wear the Dynamo Kyiv shirt every match is a huge responsibility for all of us. We approach every game with only one goal – to achieve a positive result.
– Recently many young fans have been asking you for your shirts after matches. How do you feel about that? Does it inspire you or distract you?
– Personally I’m absolutely fine with it. I used to be the same when I was a kid – I asked players for their shirts too. Sometimes I can give one away, sometimes unfortunately I can’t. We usually get one match shirt so some fans are lucky, some aren’t.
– After those intense games against Shakhtar you had to travel to Poland. Have you managed to recover? And are you ready to give your all tomorrow?
– Listen, we’ve been living in this kind of rhythm for quite a while now… We’ve gotten somewhat used to it. Of course these trips aren’t as easy as they might seem. But we’re focused on achieving a positive result tomorrow and will do everything possible to make it happen.
