Dynamo Kyiv defender Taras Mykhavko commented on the away match against Shakhtar Donetsk in the Ukrainian Premier League which ended 3:1 in favour of the hosts, speaking live on Profootball Digital.
– It was a tough game. We knew it would be even harder than the previous one because, after losing in the Cup, they were bound to come out more aggressive – and that’s exactly what we expected. I think the early goal we conceded in the third minute played a big role and affected us negatively. In the first half our game didn’t really click.
In the second half we created a few chances and, after conceding the second goal, we tried to come back but that’s football. I want to thank all our fans who supported us – unfortunately, today it didn’t work out.
– Many fans compared this match with the Cup game: Shakhtar dominated in the first half, Dynamo – in the second. Once again fans expected you to raise the tempo after the break. Why does Dynamo tend to ‘wake up’ in the second halves?
– Honestly I can’t say for sure. I think it has to do with the fact that we concede first. In the previous game, too, we conceded – but not in the first half, rather at the start of the second. Then we knew we had to come back. Before conceding I don’t know what we’re missing. We’ll analyze it. It just happens that once we concede we start playing more aggressively and create more chances.
– There were a lot of physicality and aggression today. Would you agree this was one of the toughest matches recently?
– I think so. Maybe only the one that ended 2:2 here before was similar – also very emotional. But yes, this one was definitely among the most intense.
– In the second half you played as a left-back. You and Aliou Thiare usually both play as left center-backs. How do you see your interaction – are you competitors or will you now play wider more often?
– Not really. Wherever the coach tells me to play that’s where I’ll go. As for Aliou, I think it’s great competition – it helps both of us improve and gain more match practice. Whoever performs better will play. And regarding positions – it makes no difference to me, I can play as a left-back or as a center-back. No problem there.
– You pushed quite high up and made several crosses, especially when the score was 1:2. Did coaches instruct you to attack more?
– Yes, coaches told me to play more aggressively going forward. I tried to do that but unfortunately it didn’t all go as planned.
– Fans are eagerly waiting for a win in European competition. What should they expect on Thursday in the Conference League match?
– I also hope for a win. We all do – we’re tired of losing, especially when we keep conceding two or more goals every time. We really want to change that. On Thursday we’ll do everything possible to finally get a victory because everyone in the team – and fans – has been waiting too long for one in Europe.
