Dmytro Mykhaylenko: “There is another element of luck, chance and, of course, feat. In the semifinals of the Cup we will give "Dynamo" a fight "

13.04.2018 11:25

Dnipro-1 head coach Dmytro Mykhaylenko spoke about the start of his team in the spring part of the second league championship and the nuances of preparation for the semifinals of the Ukrainian Cup, in which Dnipro will meet Dynamo Kyiv on April 18.

- Dmytro Stanislavovych, how would you rate your team when analyzing the start of the spring part of the championship?

- If we start from the result, we can give a high score, because we won both matches. But if you evaluate the quality of the game - complete satisfaction, of course, no. We expect improvement in this direction, we want to dominate more in fights with stronger rivals. Yes, as we wanted, it did not work out. So, if we start from the maximum, we have room to grow.

- To what extent did you manage to realize your potential in the last game with Metalist 1925, your main competitor in the fight for the first place in the group?

- Of course, everything planned did not work out. But in terms of results, we got three points in the coffers. I am glad that they played quite reliably in defense. Kharkiv was not allowed to create a large number of scoring opportunities, as they usually do. But in the attack were probably not creative enough and aimed at the opponent's goal.

- Functionally, "Dnipro-1" has already gained the best condition?

- There has never been such a big break in the championship in my practice. Four months without games, long vacation, two months of fees. Of course, we tried to have the team ready in all aspects by April. But it did not work out completely, because a group of players was injured. Therefore, in my opinion, our team is not yet in optimal physical condition.

- Do you think that in your group of the second league the fight for the first place will be conducted until the last round, are there any preconditions to solve the task in advance?

- It is difficult to predict. But there is a difference between us, Metalist and other teams. This is football, anything is possible. I think we will not know the name of the winner of the tournament in advance.

- April 14 in "Dnipro-1" derby with "Dnipro", and then in four days - a game in the semifinals of the Cup of Ukraine with "Dynamo". Do you intend to save the main performers on the eve of the meeting with Kyiv residents?

- It was difficult for us without some players in the first matches, so in the match against Dnipro we will watch the guys who have recovered from injuries, we will give them playing practice. They must enter the game rhythm. I think we will have enough time to prepare for the match with Dynamo in the Cup.

- Are you already looking at your future opponent in the Cup semifinals?

- Of course, we watch Dynamo matches. But, for example, Kyiv's game with Shakhtar will not be informative for us, because we will not be able to play like miners. For us, it is more expedient to study the matches of Oleksandr Hatskevich's team with such teams as, for example, Veres or Vorskla. But now, of course, we watch Dynamo more often than usual, we pay attention to details, to the strong qualities of footballers. We are well aware that it will be difficult for us, and we understand how the match will turn out. Based on this, and we will build our game.

- So the Cup semifinal is not the limit of dreams for your team?

- So. The semifinal consists of one game. The opponent is clearly superior to us in class on paper, but on the field it is different. There is another element of luck, maybe coincidence and, of course, feat. Therefore, of course, we, as maximalists, will set up football players for full dedication and mobilization. Of course, we count on the support of our 12th player and we will try to present our surprises to Dynamo.