Taras Mykhalyk Analyzes Dynamo Kyiv’s Victory Over Rangers: Key Takeaways from the Champions League Qualifier

Who was the defender of the Kyiv “Dynamo» Taras Mykhalyk shared his thoughts on his former team’s return game with the Scots”Rangers“(2:0) in the 3rd qualifying match of the Champions League, which happened yesterday in Glasgow.

“You can’t argue with the fact that the Scots were sent off in this game.”

– Taras Vladimirovich, how do you like Dynamo’s performance in this game?

– In principle, I liked the game Dynamo. I said before the fight that the main task is to survive in the first 20-30 minutes. But I can’t say that Rangers pressed a lot, because I honestly expected the Scots to put a lot of pressure in the first 20 minutes. Rangers were certainly hitting, but I expected them to create more danger. And I really liked the Dynamo game.

– You say that the Scots didn’t press as you expected, but do you think that Dynamo’s recovery from that pressure was really important?

– Now I can say that this part of the team is at a good level. Not only in this game, but in all Champions League games in general – with Partizan and with Rangers. Although it cannot be argued that the removal of the Scots helped in this game.

I was really worried that the first 30 minutes might be difficult for the Dynamo players so that Rangers wouldn’t put them under too much pressure, because the British teams can do well. But Dynamo held out, they suffered, and in the end they put pressure on the opponent and completely turned the match, which before that was more or less equal, in my opinion. After the removal, Dynamo looked more interesting.

– Did Zhefte’s foul on Karavaev actually earn the Brazilian a second yellow card?

– To be honest, all such decisions are sent to the judge. Now I don’t understand moments like that, not only in this game, but in general. Once upon a time, moments like that would not have been given, let alone a yellow card, no one would have whistled for infringements, but now those are the rules, apparently. If this decision had not been in our favor, it would have been an unpleasant moment, but since the referee made this decision, it means, apparently, a foul on a yellow card to draw

I don’t like decisions like that because I prefer the hard football that was played before. Today you often see symbols in games, but in this episode, if the referee gave it, then thank God, as they say.

– In general, throughout the game we saw a lot of foul play from the Scots. Was this an inspiration for themselves?

“I don’t think this is a motivation issue. ” These cheats have more of a British style of play, which is what they usually play. The game is played “from the knife”, they show harder football. But I liked Dynamo because they didn’t give up in this part, which is very important.

– Even after the penalty, Rangers had plenty of scoring opportunities. What did Dynamo need to seize the initiative in the game immediately?

“I think it was the right decision not to attack big numbers immediately after a Rangers player’s red card. There was no need to create a situation where, as they say, “inspectors were drawn – and everyone ran on.” This is football – the loss of one player is important of course, but not crucial, there are teams that win with ten men. So, Dynamo did everything rationally.

“Mihawk has great potential. With a defender like Popov, he will only grow and gain experience.”

– In the last five games, Denis Popov had only a constant place among the defenders in the starting line. Remembering your own experience, tell us how difficult a constant rotation of defenders can be for a team?

– The rotation of defenders is not a very pleasant thing for the team. But here a situation happened that Dyachuk was injured. He played very well, so it is a loss for the people of Kiev. But when I saw Mihawk playing live in the game with Veres, I really liked him, in my opinion, he has a lot of promise.

I even asked Sergei Fedorov, who trains defenders at Dynamo, about it. He answered that despite some nuances in the game times, Mihawk’s football player ability is great. And for a player like Popov, he will only grow and gain experience. Since Dyachuk was injured, as long as he gets back into shape, Mikhavko has every chance, let him work

– What did you think of the overall performance of the Dynamo defense in this game? It seemed that they did a better job than in the first game against Desers, which the players of the opposing team were so actively looking for?

– The Kiev team played to zero, but I thought that the Scottish players would put more pressure. I won’t say they had many successful opportunities, but in the moments they had, Buschan played a big role. It is very important when there is a person at the gate with knowledge that gives confidence to others. The defenders will feel.

– Is the progress of Denis Popov visible to you now? He is the one who did not finish the game in the first game, which led to Rangers’ goal

– Popov has improved a lot in defense in recent games, God grant that he is not injured, because you can see how he is growing before our eyes. In principle, he always liked his game, but he was only a strong football player. And now he is getting better in different parts of the game – he reads the game better, fights well and can make sharp passes better at certain times.

“When Shaparenko gets into the best shape, he will move to a major European tournament.”

– Kabaev was very active on his side in this match, he had the chance to get an assist several times. How do you like Vladislav’s performance in this game?

– Vladislav played very well, but I also liked Karavaev and Brazhko – everyone did their job. Nevertheless, I would like to praise many people after the game.

– Shaparenko scored again with an effective action. Do you feel that Nikolai is now the leader of the team?

– I think it is felt. It is clear that there are veterans like Buschan or Yarmolenko, leaders both on the field and in the locker room. But among the younger players, Shaparenko and Buyalsky are also team leaders – they are the guys in charge of the game. God forbid I jinx it, because now Shaparenko is just getting into shape, this was evident both on the national team and now. When he gets into his best shape, I think he will move to a major European competition.

– Voloshin is also performing well among young football players now. What do you think of his performance?

– I like Voloshin not only now, but in general. Perhaps, of all the young football players, Voloshin is the most interesting to me.

If he continues to play the way he is now, to maintain this level, I think he will at least develop into the leader of Dynamo. At most, Dynamo can sell to a stronger competition.

– How do you like the performance of the new player of the team, Alexander Pikhalenok?

– Pikhalyonok came out well and scored a goal, although Vitaly Buyalsky did very well. I like the way Buyalsky played the game with Shaparenko. But in the end, Pikhalyonok opened the scoring and I noticed that he integrated well into the Dynamo team – he felt as if he had been playing there for a long time.

– How important was his role in this conflict? George Bush?

– Zhora Bushchan is a good guy, he took good pictures several times. Moments when the goalkeeper, as they say, “pulls himself up” also inspire confidence in the defenders. I believe Bushchan’s role is very important now. The match with Veres is indicative. When Zhora plays, you feel that the team’s defense is more confident. I don’t want to say that Neshcheret is to blame; everyone makes mistakes. I think he is a normal goalkeeper and he will improve. But then a mistake happened and there was a bit of panic in the team after they were leading 2:0 and not getting several chances. And then once – and this happened.

I will tell you from my own experience, when Sanya Shovkovsky stood at the goal, I was sure that everything was in order behind me, and I felt calm. When someone else went in instead – it didn’t matter who just came out – there was some confusion. It’s the same here – Buschan’s role instills confidence in the players. He is an experienced footballer, he can shout at the defenders at certain moments and play successfully with his feet somewhere.

“If Dynamo beat Rangers, Shovkovsky’s words came true. “

– In recent years, two important victories of the Ukrainian national team took place at Hampden Park (over Sweden at Euro 2020 and in qualification for the World Cup 2022 over Scotland), and -now also Victoria Dynamo. Will this stadium be considered happy for our teams?

– As Shovkovsky said: “This stadium is happy for me.” “Dynamo” moved on, which means they are very happy.

– Next up for the people of Kiev is Salzburg, is there a forecast for this clash?

“I don’t want to make any guesses, but God forbid that they play in the style they are doing now, that they keep this rhythm.” In principle, so far I like her -everything about the game of the Kiev team.

– What kind of game should we expect from the Austrians?

– In my opinion, the Salzburg team will be even more interesting than the Rangers, so it will be more difficult. But Ukrainian fans would like to see Dynamo in the group stage of the Champions League.

Evgeniy Chepur

Subscribe to Dynamo.kiev.ua on Telegram: @dynamo_kiev_ua! Only the hottest news