“Why criticize the Dynamo and Shakhtar?”

The well-known Ukrainian coach Vyacheslav Grozny, following the departure of Dynamo and Shakhtar from the Europa League, summed up the performance of Ukrainian clubs in European competitions.

“We have to thank our greats for their participation in European competitions and for reaching the knockout stages of the Europa League. And few people could have imagined that our clubs would go this far. It is easy to criticize! There are so many criticisms in the press now! Let’s get rid of emotions and be grateful that Dynamo and Shakhtar gave us the spring of the European Cup. During this European Cup campaign we saw great rivals, good play from our teams. There were also good results.

After the Champions League draw, few believed that Shakhtar and Dynamo would secure their European Cup spring, but our teams did. Who would have thought that the Pitmen would beat Real twice and not lose to Inter? Few people thought and said that the people of Kiev will pass “Bruges”!

Dynamo and Shakhtar are great. It is easy to criticize! But the dog barks, the caravan advances. I think I should be grateful that in this difficult situation the club owners are investing in football. Until the Ukrainian economy recovers, there is no point talking about the development of football in the country. Today there is already talk of the creation of the European Super League! Why? Because the “Mercedes” want to participate in the same competition not with the “Cossacks”, but with the “Mercedes”. They want to compete with rich clubs. They are creating their own Super League and it will probably come true. I must thank you that our clubs play in European competitions and play with dignity. As for me, the Kiev players played very well away from home with Barcelona. And Shakhtar played very well against Real and Inter. Let’s be honest! I don’t work on one of the teams, but I don’t like criticism! I also criticize our teams for some moments of their game. I criticize them for the fact that they don’t know how to personally keep players in their own box. But our clubs have many positive aspects, of which I speak from the position of coach.

Why criticize? For the fact that young people have that experience. It’s great that they have this experience. Can we invite the best players to our clubs? Do not! They all want to play in England, Italy, Spain, Germany, France. Although until 2013, when the UPL flourished, it was possible.

Now we need economic growth so that people have jobs and earn normal incomes. People of all walks of life need normal salaries and pensions. We need economic growth! When the economy recovers, there will be people willing to invest in football. Right now, Alexander Yaroslavsky wants to revive Metalist and thanks him for that. But there are few who want it, only a few. We would like to save those who now invest in soccer.

Also, now there are blockades, there is a fight against the coronavirus. Where does this negative come from? Why do few people talk about positive things? We think all the time that we are the smartest in this world. You need to really look at the situation that it is! Thanks to our clubs for their performance in the European Cup season! You represented Ukraine with dignity! You’re great!

Today, the largest amount of money is in English football, which is why five of their teams continue to play in European competition. In England there is a lot of money. The best players and coaches dream of defending the colors of the English teams. And Italians are represented in this phase of the European competition for a Rome! Where are the Spanish Barcelona, ​​Atlético and Sevilla? And the level of funding for English clubs is higher!

You have to be objective – you can’t always demand to jump over your head. Sometimes it can be successful, like Dynamo Zagreb against Tottenham, like Porto Mourinho won the Champions League in 2004. Porto also caused a sensation this season by knocking out Juventus against Ronaldo. This is the exception to the rule, not the system.

Before claiming Ukrainian clubs for playing in European cups, we must take a closer look at the development of football, both in Ukraine and around the world. ”