Valery LOBANOVSKY: "Defend yourself even in attack"

"The game could be divided into two parts, the first ending with the second goal. At first, Dynamo performed at an even, effective pace. What happened afterward is no great tragedy. Every team has its ups and downs. One reason for the defeat was that the other team played better," he stated.
"Did the team follow your instructions?"
"They did, but only before the second goal."
"You said after the first game that Juventus looked better, but that Dynamo would have to try harder. Do you think that they tried?"
"They did. You all watched them try. The thing is that the way a game is played and its outcome never coincide. Sometimes a worse performance yields better results."
"Are there any players you can't blame for the defeat?"
"We blame nobody. We all talk it over together and with every player separately. Every man can put in a better or worse performance."
"Could it be that the first round went the wrong way? Or maybe the training tactic?"
"Could be. I'd be happy to hear your recommendations."
"How do you think this defeat will affect the team spirit?"
"I don't think that it will affect anything. The show goes on, no matter what. The team will continue working to improve itself."
"You mean Juventus could play worse the next time?"
"Juventus always plays well. The second goal dampened Dynamo's spirit a little, everyone wanted revenge. They say, however, that one must defend oneself even in attack. How can two fullbacks remain in defense against two forwards?"
"You say that coordinated play is important. What role does Indzaghi play?"
"There are three components without which we'll never win. First, each player must carry out his job completely. Example: a player near his own penalty area tries to outplay three opponents. If he loses the ball it is an almost sure goal. Number two. Each player must perform to the best of his ability. Well, this time not all of the boys did so. Number three. Any collective play must end in so many spectacular individual performances. Without individual virtuosity no team can count on serious accomplishment. That is precisely what Juventus demonstrated. "
"Do you believe that the Ukrainian championships can create the right atmosphere to rear a team capable of challenging Juventus or Manchester?"
"We must work on this. I told the boys after the game today that it had taken five years to shape a team capable of beating Italy at the 1988 World Championships. We have many Dynamo players lacking psychological steadfastness because they are too young."
"Don't you think that your political opponents will try to take advantage of the situation - I mean your defeat this time - and if so, how will you react? Will you simply ignore them or what?"
"I've had my share of opponents, more than I care to remember, and I have never responded in kind. Why should I? It's no good."
"There will be more defeats and victories. The main thing is to keep working to improve," he concluded.
Photo by Volodymyr Rasner, The Day
Newspaper output №:
№7, (1998)Section
Society