Dynamo Kyiv midfielder and goal-scorer Vitaliy Buyalskyi commented on the 1:1 away draw against Zorya Luhansk and shared his impressions after the match:
- The team failed to win again – that’s already the fifth draw. How frustrating is it to concede at the end once more?
- Of course it’s a painful situation. We need to figure out why we keep conceding in the final minutes because it’s not the first time. Sometimes it’s a lack of concentration, sometimes a bit of relaxation sets in. So, again, we have to understand why it keeps happening specifically at the end of matches.
- How did you prepare for this game, considering the international break? Usually matches after such pauses are tough – was that the case today?
- At first we had a few days off, then we trained and worked throughout the break. I think today we just lacked a bit of focus at the end and that’s why we conceded. We also need to be better at finishing our chances.
- Your goal took quite a while to arrive. In the first half there were several moments when someone could have passed or taken a shot but didn’t. How much do such things affect the final result?
- Of course they have an impact. We need to be more composed and calm when making the final pass or taking the final shot. Sometimes you need to play less selfishly and pass to a teammate instead. We have to approach attacking situations more cool-headedly.
- If the team had scored more in the first half or early in the second, maybe the late goal wouldn’t have mattered so much?
- Yes, possibly. But in the first half we also could have conceded – Ruslan Neshcheret saved us then. So I can’t say we had clear-cut chances before the break while Zorya had one – and Ruslan did great to stop it.
- You’re now Dynamo’s top scorer with four goals this season. Tell us about your emotional celebration with Karavaiev after the goal.
- It was just a normal celebration. Karavaiev made the assist and I was supposed to be in that zone. If he had played the ball there and I wasn’t in position – that would have been my fault. So everything worked perfectly, he did well.
- You’re not only Dynamo’s top scorer this season but also the club’s top scorer in matches against Zorya – eight goals now. Why is this opponent so favorable for you?
- I don’t know, it just happens that way. I can’t explain it. I remember scoring against them last season too – it’s just how the circumstances turned out. There’s no special attitude or motivation, I prepare the same for every opponent. Sometimes it goes in, sometimes it doesn’t.
- Many praised Shola Ogundana’s performance today. How would you assess his play and adaptation?
- I’m not a coach so it’s not my place to evaluate players – that’s the coaching staff’s job. They decide who plays and who doesn’t.
- A tough stretch lies ahead: Samsunspor in the Conference League, Kryvbas, twice against Shakhtar and more European matches. How important is this period?
- I wouldn’t say it’s too difficult – rather it’s interesting. There are many games, and not just any games – matches against strong opponents in Europe, the league and the Ukrainian Cup. That’s exciting for every footballer. I think all players prefer playing to just training.
- Right now Dynamo has both its worst run – five games without a win – and its best – over 40 matches unbeaten. How does that feel within the team: more like a slump or still something positive?
- Definitely a slump. If there are no wins there’s no progress or growth. Everything depends on results – the atmosphere, the mood, the confidence of every player. Of course, everyone wants to win.
- Maybe the team should try something different – go to church together or have a team barbecue to reset?
- That’s not a problem – we can go to church or grill some meat together. But that has to come from each person individually; you can’t force anyone to do it. In truth that’s not the issue – we’re conceding during games. We have to analyze exactly when and why that happens and be more focused in the final minutes. If we’re conceding late it’s either due to fatigue or a lack of concentration. I don’t see any other reason.
