Dynamo Kyiv Defeats Rangers: Sergei Kovalets Shares Insights and Future Prospects Against Salzburg in Champions League Qualification

Former Kyiv midfielder”Dynamo» Sergei Kovalets shared his thoughts on his former team’s return game with the Scots”Rangers“(2:0) in the 3rd qualifying round of the Champions League, and he also evaluated the prospects for the “white blues” in the clash with Salzburg of Austria in the next stage of the competition.

– I congratulate Dynamo fans, managers, coaches and all Ukrainians on the good performance and victory of the team. Yes, it was not easy, because Rangers played in front of their own fans, who strongly supported their team.

Immediately after the first game, he said that he assessed Dynamo’s chances in the return game higher: 51% to 49%. This surprised many then, because they believed that the Scots would play better at home and would not give the Kyivians a chance.

In my opinion, tactically Alasdair Shovkovsky played better than Rangers coach Philippe Clement. When the opponent controlled the ball, Brazhko dropped lower and Dynamo switched to playing with three central defenders. The Kiev team competently set up the game and did not allow them to create almost a single real scoring opportunity. We controlled the ball, we didn’t give up in the fight, and we played well on rebounds.

– Who would you personally note among the Kievites?

– I absolutely loved the game. How the backups connected, how useful Brazhko was in the middle of the field. Mikavko looked confident – he played well up front, went into the middle of the field, and made the first pass. Kabaev tried… The whole team made a great gift to our whole state.

I would also like to note the successful institutions; all players entered the game successfully. Pikhalenok and Voloshin scored, but Bragaru and Bilovar also contributed. We played very well and raised our game.

– The owners were dissatisfied with the referee, but how do you evaluate the referee’s work?

– The Italian referee stood up to the pressure and did not give in to encourage dirty play by the players of the Scottish team. There were a lot of hidden attacks, they went on their feet, they wanted to scare the Dynamo players. There was also pressure from the local fans, but we have to give credit to the referee, who stopped all this and removed him from the section when the opposing players used dishonest methods. It is important that Dynamo did not respond to incentives.

– There is one step left until the group stage of the Champions League. The next opponent is Salzburg of Austria.” What do you expect from this clash?

– “Salzburg” is one of the best clubs in Austria, which has many foreign players. But with the football and enthusiasm that Dynamo is now showing, this opponent is not insurmountable. The odds before the first game are between 50% and 50%.

I expect Austro-German football, which has a lot of fighting, power fighting, aggression and speed. Salzburg, in my opinion, are stronger than Rangers in terms of play and tactical flexibility. But this team is also within Dynamo’s strength.

Anatoly Yashchenko

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