- Dynamo will feature against the opponent almost every club would like to face at this stage. I think it’s good for Kyivans. February is always a difficult period for our teams. When I was a player second part of European campaign started in March. Coach must be really talented to prepare his team for important fixtures within a month.
Anyway there must be no underestimation. One should respect any opponent. Moreover Ligue 1 is one of top five European leagues. Every team that performs in this competition is a serious power. Unfortunately matches against French teams are usually not a success for us. Not long ago Dynamo lost against PSG and Bordeaux. In 1983 we didn’t manage to outplay Laval (0:0 and 0:1) and thus tumbled out of the UEFA Cup.
That’s why one must take any team seriously. I think the White-Blues will play with dedication.
It can be beneficial for Dynamo that Ligue 1 also starts later than Barclays Premier League, Primera or Serie A. There’s long winter break in France just like in Ukraine.
- What are the main peculiarities of French teams’ play?
- I think they play very orderly, first of all for defense. In youth teams performers get good tactical skills. It’s never easy to score against French clubs. For example AS Saint-Etienne drew five times in the Europa League group stage fixtures and LOSC Lille – four times. That’s why it’s necessary to demonstrate sophisticated attacking football and remember about defense.
* picture by V. Rasner
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