He summarized the football year and answered supporters’ and journalists’ questions.
- You often come to Dynamo U-19, U-21 and Dynamo-2 matches? Do these teams have players that can join the main squad in spring?
- Of course they have. You are right, we follow our youngsters which gives them motivation. I see that our youth teams and academy are making headway which is very important. At the moment I can’t say who’ll go to the training camp. It’s all in players’ hands. Usually 7-8 Ukrainians take the field in Champions League matches which means something.
- Do you use Lobanovskyi’s lessons in your work?
- Sure. I use everything I’ve learned from different coaches.
- How does it feel to return to Dynamo as coach?
- It’s okay. Of course it’s much more difficult to be the coach. After games players can do whatever they want while coach’s work only starts. I watch different matches and analyze them. Sometimes I don’t go to bed till 3-4 in the morning.
- How did you celebrate qualification for the Champions League knock-out stage? Do Dynamo have a chance to reach quarterfinals or semifinals?
- Dynamo president gathered the team, we thanked each other. In a month we’ll get back to work. As for our chances… They were saying Dynamo could struggle only for the third place in our group. No matter what opponent we get we’ll get ready and fight. We have chances.
- What’s the role of assistant coach Raul when you define starting lineup or decide who makes a substitute appearance?
- FC Dynamo Kyiv are the team, where a single person can’t do anything. I’m glad we have Raul. Still why does everyone ask about him? Why don’t you mention other coaches, massage therapists, doctors. Everyone does the job thoroughly. Raul helps me a lot. He works 24/7 and we are thankful to each other.
- If they asked you to take charge of Shakhtar before you were invited to Dynamo would you have taken such offer?
- Dynamo actually brought me up. I spent a certain period of time with Shakhtar and I’m thankful to people I worked with there, but I became a player you knew and in some way a coach in Kyiv. My home is in Dynamo. I would never work or play for Shakhtar.
- How does Andriy Yarmolenko feel?
- I met him today. He’s hurt his knee, so he’s being cured. He’s a professional, so he’ll start his vacation only in a week. Until then he’ll be reconditioning at the training complex.
- Winter transfer window will start soon. Are you going to sign anyone?
- At first we’ll have a vacation. Everyone will have good rest including Dynamo president. As for newcomers, you’ll find out soon.
- Which team would you like to face in the Champions league round of 16?
- Actually that doesn’t matter. There are no pushovers at this stage. We’ll be ready to face any team.
- Would you use the formation with two forwards if you had such strikers as Shevchenko and Rebrov?
- Sometimes we use such formation. Isn’t Yarmolenko a forward? He scores a lot. When we attack there are a lot of Dynamo players in opponents’ penalty area.
- What’s the success formula of Dynamo keeper Olexandr Shovkovskyi?
- It’s about professionalism and number of injuries. Olexandr has always been a true professional. He follows his weight, knows what to eat. He’s never had serious injuries. Being goalkeeper isn’t like being outfield player. Anyway I’m glad I have such a player.
- Can you name three most promising youngsters in Ukrainian football?
- I have such players in my youth teams. I think there are a lot of talented performers in Ukraine. We must help them and we try to do that in Dynamo.
- Do you have football idols?
- Yarmolenko and Khacheridi (laughing).
- Ihor Surkis used to say you like having practical studies at foreign clubs. Where would you like to go now?
- It’s difficult to do that now as I don’t have much free time. Still today one can find any information on the Internet. I read a lot of Spanish and English magazines specializing in tactics.
- Do you like fishing or picking mushrooms?
- (laughing) Sometimes I go fishing, but not really often. As for mushroom picking, I haven’t done then yet.
- Ultras have a chant “Our hero – Serhiy Rebrov”. Do you pay attention to that?
- When I was a player that helped me a lot. I hope fans will have chants for every player. That will be really helpful.
- Who should get the Ballon d’Or?
- I think Neymar. He’s having a great season with Barcelona and deserves respect. Messi and Ronaldo already have several Ballon d’Ors.
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