Miron Markevich Reflects on Historic Coaching Journey and Kryvbas’s Challenge Against Betis

The professional career of one of the most famous experts, Miron Markevich, included working as a head coach in seven clubs. One of them was Krivoy Rog “Krivbass”, in which he worked twice – both in the championship of the USSR, when the team played in the second league, and in the main league of the tree Ukraine. Markevich’s second visit to Krivoy Rog took place in late autumn, at the height of the 1995/96 season. At that time, Kryvbas was in the relegation zone, having only 16 points after playing the same number of games. The fruitful work done by the famous coach during the winter brought results: not only did the team leave the danger zone, but they also took 14th place among eighteen participants.

In a conversation with the UA-Football correspondent, Miron Markevich recalled the events of that season, at the same time sharing his thoughts on the confrontation between Kryvbas and the Spanish Betis in the playoff round of the League the Conference.

• Read more news from the world of football Live at Telegram UA-Football

“It was a good year, I remember it well,” the specialist recalls. – I was then invited to Krivoy Rog because it was necessary to save the team from relegation. We managed to do this. Then the team remained among the elite, so I count this season as an asset. At that time, many qualified football players played in “Krivbass” – such as Vorobiev, Prikhodko, Nosenko, Skidan, Gromov, Yakovenko, Grigorchuk, Sevidov. We played in a draw with Dynamo, 2:2, although we won 2:0 during the game. All famous players played for Dynamo – in particular, Luzhny, Maksimov, Leonenko, Shevchenko, Rebrov. Shakhtar also won 1:0, and overall there were many good games. I can say that during the entire spring part of the 1995/96 season, while I was in charge of the team, he never lost at home. But the main thing is that “Krivbass” stayed in the main league.

– What can you say about the duel between the Krivoy Rog team and the Spanish Betis?

– “Betis” – “Betis” – what else can be said here? This is no ordinary team, but still seventh in Spain. And its coach is experienced and authoritative – Manuel Pellegrini, he has been working at Betis for the fifth year. So there is nothing to be surprised.

– Many experts note that despite the efforts of Krivbass, the Betis players looked stronger in yesterday’s game…

– Of course. They cost money after all. Nothing else has been created yet to create a strong team. A master is a master – and here everything is natural.

– Do you think it is possible to make some kind of football miracle in the return match, which would allow the Krivoy Rog team to play successfully in Seville?

– Be that as it may, in such a stadium (Betis hosts rivals in its home field, the 60,000-seater Benito Villamarin Stadium – editor’s note) you need football good to play At the very least, try not to lose. It is clear that it will be very difficult for Krivbass in Seville, because there will be real support from the home team. But I hope that Yuri Vernidub, as an experienced coach, will try to tell his players that they must show a high-quality game. And it will be seen there. In football, everything is possible.

– A little more than a month after leaving the post of head coach of Karpaty Lviv, you are on vacation. Are you following the team’s performances?

– For sure. I have been a fan of Karpaty since 1963 and I have never missed a single match of the team. In addition, he trained her several times. And I will say again that I am very happy that the Lviv team returned to the Premier League with me. There are no /jealous?/ feelings on my part. I wish Karpaty good luck.

– How do you spend your time after your job?

– Now I am in Kharkov, one of my favorite cities. The second day I like the feeling of football, remembering the good years spent at Metalist. Today I attended the game for the first place in the Kharkov competition, where I won the players. I gave something to our boys who are in the east of the country. Tomorrow I will participate in the veterans competition in Sharovka. By the way, the Sharovka team won the city championship today, and I congratulate the president of the club Viktor Voitenko, who is a good friend of mine. I will be in Kharkov for a while, because here I have only positive things.