The coach of the “white-blues” assessed the team's performance in the qualification of the most prestigious European tournament.
Head coach of Dynamo Kyiv Alexander Shovkovskyanswered questions from media representatives after the return match of the Champions League qualifying playoff round against Austrian Salzburg.
The match at the Red Bull Arena in Salzburg ended in a 1:1 draw. Since Dynamo lost 0:2 to the Austrian vice-champion in the first match, Salzburg won 3:1 in the two-match confrontation and won a ticket to the main stage of the Champions League. The Kievans will play in the main round of the Europa League.
– What did Dynamo lack today to achieve a positive result?
– The players tried to do everything in their power today. And I think you can’t blame the team for not having the desire. I thanked the guys, they spent a lot of effort today. To answer your question directly, we lacked the result of the first match.
– How would you rate the team’s performance in the Champions League qualification?
– We will certainly analyse this performance again. This is a completely different level, these are Champions League matches. And I will repeat that I am proud of the team, their attitude, their work. We were striving, we tried, we pinned our opponents down at the start of the game, but unfortunately we missed a counterattack again and conceded a goal, although we had our moments. Of course, this is a huge experience, many players are playing on the international stage for the first time, they saw that this is a completely different level, higher speeds. This is what we strive for in our work, to improve our actions, both individually and as a team. I have always told my players that the only person you should look back at is you in the past. The only person you should be better than is you in the present. I think we have definitely made a big step forward, and I think we are on the right track. We must continue to move forward. After the failure of last year's performance on the international stage, I think we have made a huge step forward, and now everything is just beginning – I am sure of it.
– There are a few days left before the transfer window closes. Will Dynamo have any more transfers?
– There is nothing to talk about until these transfers come true. The selection service is constantly working, there are certain difficulties, but there is no point in saying anything in advance.
I also can't help but mention what last night was like in Ukraine. In particular, the hotel where the team always stayed when they went to matches in Krivoy Rog almost doesn't exist. People died. This is our reality today. Of course, we want this war to end as soon as possible, of course, with our victory, so that we can return to a normal, full life.
Once again – Glory to the Armed Forces of Ukraine, Glory to Ukraine, a peaceful and calm evening to all of us.
It should be noted that Dynamo, as the silver medalist of the UPL, began the current European season from the second qualifying round of the Champions League. Before the confrontation with Salzburg, Shovkovskiy's team beat Serbian Partizan and Scottish Rangers.
Ukraine is now represented in the most prestigious European Cup only by Donetsk Shakhtar, which automatically received a ticket to the main round of the Champions League.
The draw for the main stage of the 2024/25 Champions League will take place on Thursday, August 29.
