FC Dynamo Kyiv head coach Mircea Lucescu answered media questions at the press conference before the Champions League group stage matchday 4 game against FC Barcelona:
- You weren’t satisfied with the team after the match against FC Mariupol. Have you managed to set players for the game against Barcelona? What’s the atmosphere in the team like?
- Does anyone really need extra motivation to play against Barcelona? Some say this or that Barca player hasn’t come to Kyiv, but Barcelona are Barcelona. We don’t have players with payoff sum of a billion while they do. Still Dynamo have decent performers too and we’ll see that tomorrow.
- How significant is the loss of Pique and Aguero for Barcelona?
- Not too significant. Garcia will replace Pique. He’s Barcelona future. Aguero didn’t play a lot recently, so his absence isn’t a problem for visitors either. They have Depay, who scores a lot. Of course Messi’s departure influences the team. On the other hand, we also lack very important players – Popov and Besedin. Anyway, I’m sure we’ll have a good game tomorrow.
- Will the new coach benefit Barcelona?
- I don’t see any changes so far. They haven’t managed to win against Alaves. Unfortunately for Sergi Barjuan, some of his players have health issues. It’s hardly possible to change something in three days, besides he wasn’t ready for that.
- How important will be fans’ support tomorrow?
- It depends upon a group supporting the team. I want all fans to cheer and motivate players. We have tough Champions League schedule. When opposing Barcelona away, we were too anxious and made some bad mistakes. I’ve told guys, how I opposed Barca with Shakhtar in 2004. Messi made his debut for the club in that game. Shakhtar won 2:0 due to incredible dedication and orderly play. Tomorrow we must do the best we can to succeed. I believe in my players and want to see them really motivated.
- Will the absence of Mykolenko be a serious issue? Who’ll be the left lateral – Shabanov or Karavayev?
- I decided to test Shabanov in this position just in case. Karavayev knows how to play as left lateral really well.
