The head coach of the blue and whites Sandro Schwarz answered journalists' questions after winning the derby with CSKA (3:1).
– First of all, I would like to thank everyone who came to the stadium today. The atmosphere was just incredible, as was the support of our fans. It was a very emotional moment for us. The game was very intense with chances for both teams. It was a glorious battle from a tactical point of view. Everything was in this match, and in the end we were able to snatch victory. The first half was very good, we dominated, after the break there was more fighting, CSKA had their chances. Two days ago at the press conference we talked about the role of standards, and I am very happy that we scored the winning goal from the corner. I am proud of our team – the mentality of the players and their attitude.
– Is this the best gift that the team could give you for your birthday?
– Of course it is. The most valuable thing is our health, but it was very pleasant to finish this week with such a victory. I am very proud to be a part of this club.
– How long have you been puzzling over who will play in defense, left without three main defenders?
– It was clear that Osprey would play on the left and replace the disqualified Rubens. We were not sure about Maxim Osipenko, who played well during the season, but after the injury only yesterday he had his first training session with the team. We talked to him in the morning and decided to release Robbie. I am very happy for him that he scored the most important goal. Even without getting regular game practice, he is always an example of how to work in training and stay professional.
– What weaknesses in the game of CSKA did you notice when analyzing the opponent before the match?
– CSKA is a top team with a clear idea of how they want to play, and with a great coach. We met with him before the season. We focused on our game, we wanted to use the free zones and flirt more with Bitello and Bales in the transitional phases. I think I'll review the match tomorrow and see the top game from both teams.
– Everyone celebrated this victory very vigorously. Can we say that Dynamo has taken another step towards something big?
– My answer may seem a little boring, but for now we are moving from match to match. When I feel something different, I will tell you about it. Yes, today we can enjoy this emotional victory, but next Saturday we have an away match with Akron, and all attention will be focused on this difficult game. If we are in the same place in April or May, I will be able to answer you in more detail.
– Victor Okishor is becoming the real joker of the team, but he still does not have a single match at the start of the RPL this season. What is he missing?
– He played 80 minutes in Grozny. We have to go step by step in the development of young players. I am sure that if he continues to progress, he will start at the start and in the championship. His progress is visible, so gradually he will get more and more playing time.
– Dynamo scored the first goal as a result of high pressure. What was your attitude in this regard?
– We had a lot of good moments in the pressure when we took the ball away. We created a lot of pressure on the opponent before the break, and after it we lacked the last pass or the right decisions in these situations. It was an even game, and I think the statistics reflect that. In such matches, everything is decided by the details, and standards are the most important part of the game.
– After the match with Akhmat, David Ricardo compared Dynamo's game with Arsenal. Which European team would you compare the blue and white with?
– I would not like to compare us with anyone, and David may have just been joking. We want to create our own identity, our own culture, so that everyone can see how we want to play. This applies to our behavior both on and off the field. It is important for us to keep our focus on our daily work and gain confidence – both team and individual. We want to be aggressive on the field, preach counterpressing – these are important things for us.
– There is an opinion that CSKA drove itself with its counterpressing in the second half and lost the ending due to the fact that the players were tired. Do you agree with this?
– Do not forget that CSKA also had chances to score the second goal, and then we might have discussed other things, as the result could have been different. I can say that counterpressing is important for us, but I am also very pleased that Robbie scored from the standard.
