FC Dynamo Kyiv head coach Mircea Lucescu answered journalists’ questions before the game against Besiktas JK in Bucharest.
- If players feel at this stadium like at home, how does mister Lucescu feel?
- Bucharest was a right choice. People come to the stadium and support us. It’s really great as we’ve been playing behind closed doors for a year and a half. That’s tough.
- What do you expect of the game against the club you used to work with? Is this match special to you?
- I spent two incredible years there. The first season was terrific. We won the league by leaving our opponents from Istanbul behind. Besides, it was the 100th anniversary of the club.
But the second year was a total disappointment. We were leading in the league by ten points. Some people were saying that’s not interesting and something needs to be done about that. And someone did in the following match. We lost 0:3 finishing the game having six outfield players. The same kept happening and we lost the title by two points.
Besides, I donated a part of my salary for the reconstruction of Besiktas stadium. I have warm memories both of Besiktas and Galatasaray.
I can also say that Turkish fans are really special. When I come to Istanbul or other Turkish cities, they come up to shake my hand. At some point you just focus on positive stuff.
I know that about a thousand Besiktas fans will attend the game tomorrow, so I hope our supporters will be louder.
- There will be a lot of Rapid fans at the stadium. What do you think of that?
- Parents with children, who had to move from Ukraine to Romania, can’t chant louder than visitors’ fans. That’s why I count on the support of Rapid fans. I want them to act as supporters of the club that performs on the European arena, because I believe their club will soon.
- Aren’t you afraid of Besiktas, who haven’t lost a game since February?
- There’s no point being afraid, but Besiktas have experienced coach and players signed from top leagues regularly. One can mention Oxlade-Chamberlain or Rebic, for instance. Turkish top clubs sign famous players which makes their league more attractive.
That is also why we need support tomorrow. For certain reason we mostly count on our trainees, 19-21-year-old inexperienced youngsters. Fans’ support will help them demonstrate their best qualities.
