Dynamo reserves returned from Cyprus Fri, Feb 8 where they had completed their first mid-season training. Reserves coach Yuriy Kalitvintsev talks to www.fcdynamo.kiev.ua about how it all went on Cyprus and why he prefers to play against serious opponents.
We have fulfilled our plan and managed to do everything that had been planned. What I liked most is the quality of the warm-up games. Our youngsters (mostly born in the years of 1989 and 1990) played against seasoned players and they were no worse.
- Who could you single out in your squad?
- I do not really like giving names, but I must admit Yarmolenko, Zozulya, Morozyuk and Butenin did a good job.
- Morozyuk eyed a double in the game vs. Levski. In the rest of the friendlies, however, you let him play in the second half. Why?
- My major task was to let everybody play in the games. Those who were little involved in the first game were got their chances in the next games. The players perfectly understand the situation and took no offense.
- Why did Maksim Usanov, who was on trial on Cyprus, leave the team?
- As I mentioned, our team is made up of the players b. 1989-1991. Maksim is older than that. He is 22. He could prove useful to the reserves team, but not to the first team squad. Therefore we decided to part company.
- Have you worked your further plans, say, for the next training run?
- We are going to travel back to Cyprus Feb 16, with demonstration matches scheduled for Feb 20, 22 and 25. Our opponents will be serious contenders, as I see no point in thrashing weak teams. We have been lucky to play against strong teams during the winter break, both on Cyprus and at the CIS Cup.
