Dynamo prepares for match against Noah: Igor Kostiuk’s words before Conference League

Kyiv Dynamo head coach Igor Kostiuk answered questions from media representatives ahead of the 6th round of the main stage of the Conference League against Armenian Noah.

Kyiv Dynamo head coach Igor Kostiuk commented for the first time on his appointment as the team’s head coach ahead of the 6th round of the Conference League against Armenian Noah.

Kostiuk also spoke about the team’s personnel situation: captain Vitaliy Buyalskyi, defenders Denys Popov and Kristian Bilovar remain injured. In addition, Aliu Tiare will miss the match due to an accumulation of yellow cards. All other players are preparing for the game.

– Igor Vladimirovich, now you are the full head coach of Dynamo. How did you find out? Did you have a conversation with the president?
– I had a conversation with the president yesterday, during which he informed me about the appointment. The discussion was long. I found out yesterday, and today the official information was released.

– What personnel losses does the team have? Who will definitely not play tomorrow?
– The same injured players remain: our captain Vitaliy Buyalskyi, Denys Popov, Kristian Bilovar. Aliu Tiare will also miss the match due to yellow card accumulation. All others are preparing for the game.

– Did the president set tasks and goals for the second part of the season?
– I am a person who does not promise quick miracles, but I promise honest work, clear processes, and that the team will not be ashamed, neither today nor tomorrow.

– You know Dynamo’s youth team well. Is there a chance that one of the young players will join the main squad?
– Yes, of course. It is already visible that the youth is being integrated, and each of them is a potential player who should become a full-fledged main squad footballer in the future. We rely on them. I will bet on players ready to win regardless of age.

– Recently Vladyslav Blenutse hasn’t played – twice he wasn’t included in the squad and remained on the bench. Are you counting on him?
– Vladyslav had family circumstances and went home. His absence from the squad is due to the fact that we have two or three full forwards, and we chose players who would be maximally useful to the team.

– In what attacking position will Andriy Yarmolenko play?
– He will play where he is most useful.

– Have you managed to get used to the team in a short time?
– Of course, it’s a short period, but as I said, I’m glad the players are grasping the ideas. Small changes are already visible, which gives optimism.

– Last week Dynamo played against Bosnian striker Edin Dzeko, and this week – against Nardin Mulahuseynovich. What can you say about him?
– Dzeko didn’t score against us. I think Mulahuseynovich won’t either. We will do everything to prevent him from scoring, but he is a very strong forward. We have watched his games and know him.

– How do you evaluate tomorrow’s opponent – Noah?
– It’s a strong team. Noah has many quality legionnaires. Of course, it won’t be easy, but we are studying the opponent’s strengths. I won’t talk about weaknesses – that will be discussed with the team during theory sessions.

– Is the loss of Popov and Tiare significant for Dynamo’s defense?
– Of course, it’s a loss, but in the last match, Zakharchenko and Mikhavko played in these positions. I think we will cope, and it won’t be critical.