“I didn’t think of Juventus before the UPL game”

Dynamo Kyiv defender Denis Popov commented on the 2-0 victory in UPL’s game against Rukh.

– It was quite difficult to play against Rukh, as we only had two days to prepare. It is good that the game develops in such a way that we win three points. The game showed how well we are prepared at the moment. We won 2: 0, positive emotions.

– “Rukh” is a newcomer to the Premier League, how well did you study this team? Did you have enough information about his style of play?

– Oh, of course. We had many meetings and theoretical studies, and also, we had several friendlies with them, so we knew the rival very well. The coaching staff gave us all the information to beat this team.

– In what shape are you after the injury? You have already played games for the youth team and today you joined the first team, so everything is going well with your health?

– Yes, everything is fine, I am progressing little by little. I will not say that I am already in optimal shape, but I am gradually gaining it.

– Considering that the Dynamo won with confidence, scoring a goal in each half, can we say that you did it, or was the manager not satisfied with something?

– I think there were mistakes. I need to see the video, but in the chase it seemed to me that the first half was better than the second. Before the break we completely controlled the game, and after we got hooked a bit, our forces began to leave us. Many guys played full games for their national teams, and this played a role, because they were all in a different physical condition.

– Already on Tuesday you will have a Champions League match with Juventus, are you still thinking about him?

– We have such a schedule that we have to quickly rebuild from tournament to tournament. We cannot influence anything, so it only remains to go out on the field and play. You need to be able to prepare, but physically we are well prepared.

– Was there any underestimation of Rukh due to the fact that in a few days you have to play the group stage of the Champions?

– No. The coach told us right away that it could not be underestimated, since this is a Western team that always fights to the end, does not give in. So they warned us and naturally we seriously prepared, because every game is important to us. So we are not thinking of Juventus, but only of Ruh. We achieved victory, now we move on.