FC Dynamo Kyiv head coach Oleksandr Shovkovskyi answered media questions after the away win against FC Kryvbas Kryvyi Rih (2:0):
- Do you think the win is the result of Dynamo skill, which was superior to Kryvbas’, or did your team have more motivation?
- First of all, I congratulate the fans on the victory, it’s very important. It’s always very difficult to play against teams managed by Yurii Vernydub, just as it’s not easy for any team to play in Kryvyi Rih. Kryvbas are difficult opponent for anyone.
We had many opportunities that should’ve led to shots on goal and goals. There were chances in both the first and second half, in particular, Denys Popov had a great opportunity after a corner kick, Vitaliy Buialskyi, when he decided to pass to Andriy Yarmolenko, although he could have finished himself, and also Vladyslav Vanat.
Of course, to score, it’s not enough to create chances, you need to shoot. We’re working on this, and we told players that any combinations must be completed. I’m certainly satisfied with the result, as well as the attitude of players, although it’s also difficult to play here due to the situation with prolonged air raids.
- For Kryvyi Rih fans, football is a kind of solace against the backdrop of constant shelling. Do you think it’s possible to take away football from these people and move Kryvyi Rih matches to another city?
- I don’t make any decisions on this matter, but I understand that Kryvbas plays more matches than all other teams, because they need to finish games against one opponent or another. This requires preparation and is an additional burden on everyone. Of course, there is no common sense in what is happening in our country, but we are fighting for our independence and freedom. We need to stand up and do everything possible to preserve our statehood. After all, freedom is not something that can be given to you, it is something that can never be taken away from you.
At the same time, there are circumstances, we need to finish the league within a certain time frame. We understand that we’re playing for the fans, but security must also be in the stadiums.
Thank you for staying in football, I hope peace will come to our country as soon as possible with our victory. I also thank our Armed Forces for giving us the opportunity to play football.
