“The players we have are the best for me”

Kiev “Dynamo” head coach Mircea Lucescu answered questions from journalists on the eve of the Champions League 3rd qualifying round match against Dutch AZ Alkmaar.

– What can you say about your opponent?

– The team is very good, they are ready for our game. In modern football, everyone knows everything about everyone. The most important thing is how you can prepare and face the game against such an opponent. They played most of their match at home, so this trip will be difficult for them. We are very motivated and we want to win.

We know their players well, the entire squad. We look at them. There are many talented young people there. Although they are young, they have been playing together for a long time. We also consider the opponent’s weaknesses and are ready to use this knowledge.

We also have a young team that is being built, there are also many young players. It’s a shame that not everyone can participate.

– In the last game, the wingers played in the center of the defense. Are you concerned about this personnel issue?

– There were no other options. That was the situation. We work in training, trying to synchronize their actions on the soccer field. Desna had moments for the errors of the defenders.

I hope that tomorrow the guys show a high level, well, that is difficult to climb in a short time.

– Four years ago, you and Zenit crushed AZ with a score of 5: 0. Can history repeat itself?

– In football, everything changes very quickly, as in life. Something changes every year. I think that soon we will see AZ players in the best championships. The team scored the same number of points as Ajax. They won the championship for us. Because under such conditions, two teams should be victorious.

– At the post-match press conference with Desna, you said that it takes time to build a new team. How many players are there that you are ready to move on with?

– I did not say that the team needs to be built for a long time. Tomorrow we have a game and the players we have are the best for me. I trust them. Regardless of who is playing, we have all the major players.

– How prepared is Artem Shabanov and who of the centrals can leave tomorrow?

– Players who missed training ground and training are not fit enough to play.

The match “Dynamo” – AZ will take place on Tuesday, September 15 at the NSC in Kiev “Olympic”. The start is at 20:00.