In the two opening rounds of the Eurocup, the “white-blues” conceded five goals and did not score a single goal.
Dynamo head coach Alexander Shovkovsky answered questions from media representatives after the match of the second round of the main stage of the 2024/25 Europa League against the German Hoffenheim.
The match in the German city of Sinsheim ended in a 0:2 defeat for the Kyivans.
The words of the “white-blue” coach from the post-match press conference are quoted by the official Dynamo website.
– What prevented us from getting a positive result today?
– In short, the goals we missed and the goals we didn't score, and if we answer in more detail, it could take two and a half hours.
– How is Brazhko, who was injured, feeling?
– It’s too early to talk about anything now. There will be an examination, give him a little more time, especially since he is currently undergoing doping control. So doctors can’t even see him.
– How did the absence of experienced players – Yarmolenko and Buyalsky – affect the game?
– It is important to understand that football, like our entire country, has been surviving lately. It is not about us improving or perfecting ourselves. We must, first of all, survive. This concerns many issues. We cannot attract qualified legionnaires, prepare properly. These are objective reasons. In such a situation, in order to become stronger, we need to play with opponents who are stronger than us.
Of course, it is a great experience for us to play against teams from the top five leagues in the world, in particular, Germany and Italy. We will prepare for each game and try to do everything in our power to demonstrate the level we are capable of and ready for.
After two matches played, Dynamo, with zero points, occupies the penultimate, 35th place in the overall standings of the main stage of the Europa League. In the opening round, Shovkovsky's team suffered a crushing defeat to Italian Lazio (0:3).
In the updated format of the Europa League, 36 clubs play in a single league, where they will play against eight different opponents (four matches at home and four away). All tournament participants received 2 opponents from 4 different baskets.
In the third round of the Europa League, Dynamo will play away against Italian Roma on October 24, whose colors are defended by Ukrainian forward Artem Dovbyk.
The eight best teams of the main stage of the Europa League will reach the 1/8 finals. The clubs that take 9th to 24th place in the overall standings will play paired play-off matches for a place in the 1/8 finals. The rest will finish their performance in European competitions.