One of Dynamo’s new signings during the summer break was right-back Oleksii Sych, who previously represented Kyiv’s upcoming opponents, Lviv side Karpaty. Almost from his first minutes on the pitch with his new team, the 25-year-old defender won over the fans with his commitment and determination.
In an exclusive interview with Dynamo’s official club media, Oleksii spoke about his first few months in Kyiv and shared memories of his time playing in the City of Lviv.
– The break due to Ukraine’s UEFA Nations League matches is now behind us. Have you missed football?
– Of course. After our league match against Zorya, we had a few days off, and we had already started missing the game during that time. We also played a friendly against the same Luhansk side to maintain our match fitness. Then we worked on improving our physical condition and prepared for the resumption of the competition. As a team, we focused on training and worked on various match situations. We tried to improve certain aspects of our game, both collectively and individually.
– You joined Dynamo in the summer, so you can probably already draw some preliminary conclusions. How has this period been for you?
– I think everything has gone well. I got to know the club and my teammates. It takes time to adapt to a club like Dynamo. I believe I have managed to do that.
– Fans and the press have spoken positively about your performances at the start of the season...
– I am very grateful to Dynamo’s fans for their support and for coming to our matches during such a difficult period. It is very pleasing. We try to repay them with complete dedication and successful performances.
– What do Lviv’s Karpaty mean to you?
– I spent a significant part of my career at this club, and Karpaty were the team that developed me as a footballer. I think that process was quite successful, considering that I attracted the attention of the management at Dynamo Kyiv.
– In the autumn of 2024, you already played against Karpaty as a member of Rukh. So the feelings must be familiar. Or is playing against them with Dynamo a completely different story?
– That was the Lviv derby, so emotions were certainly running high!.. Now I fully understand that I will be facing a club that remains close to my heart, where I still have many friends. However, at least for the 90 minutes of the match, we will have to forget about friendship.
– Karpaty have made a confident start to the season: having collected 14 points in seven matches, they sit third in the Ukrainian Premier League standings. Did you expect such performances from your former teammates?
– In my opinion, their recent successful results are no surprise. Karpaty have a quality squad. They are a strong and well-balanced team, and any opponent must approach a match against them with the utmost seriousness.
– Does Karpaty’s successful start to the league campaign create additional responsibility and pressure for Dynamo?
– There is certainly responsibility. We are competing for the highest positions, and Karpaty are also among the teams seeking to establish themselves at the top. So this is one of those matches in which, as they say, not three points but six are at stake.
– What do you expect from the match?
– We will take to the pitch in a determined frame of mind, because we will be playing in front of our home crowd. We are focused solely on victory!
Anton HRESKIV
