“The ex-defender of the national team of Ukraine summed up the intermediate results of the competition in the Premier League”, — write: sport.ua
– Mykola, what are your general impressions of the first part of the season in the UPL?
– It is clear that the level of competition has fallen. And it is not surprising. Considering the time we live in now. However, our football is alive and it does not degrade. Everyone who is related to football in our country somehow tries to help, if not in deed, then in word. I am sure that sooner or later Ukraine will reach a decent level again, both in domestic competitions and in Europe.
– Who became the opening team for you?
– From the point of view of results, it is, of course, LNZ. The answer to this question is provided by the standings, no more, no less. I take my hat off to such teams who, after even half a season, are in first place, regardless of authority. However, with all due respect to the Cherkasy club, I do not believe that they will be able to withstand the pace of the entire distance.
– What, in your opinion, is the disappointing team of the first part of the championship?
– Of course, as a former Dynamo player, I follow this team. And the first part of the season turned out to be extremely unsuccessful for the “white and blue”. I won’t go too far and say that it was the people of Kyiv who disappointed me the most. However, I believe that the situation will radically change in the spring. Such a team cannot take fourth, seventh, fifth place. Kyivans can do it.
– What would you call the best three football players?
– I will not say that I directly watch all the matches of the championship. But, in my opinion, it is the former LNZ striker Prosper Oba. His game looked effective. In addition, he is currently one of the best scorers in the championship. Second and third place? I wouldn’t say that anyone really stood out, however, I remembered Shakhtar players Alisson and Dmytro Riznyk, mostly for European Cup matches.
– What will be the three prize winners at the end of the championship?
– Shakhtar, Dynamo, Polissia. I could be wrong, but this is the schedule I see right now.
– Which four teams will be in the relegation zone and the transition zone?
– It is difficult to predict, since the fight at the bottom of the tournament table will be no less fierce than for the prize places. However, “Poltava” has the most chances to be in this four. I think her company will be “Epicenter”, “Kudrovka” and… probably “Obolon”.
– What about arbitration?
– There is a trend that scandals with arbitrators’ decisions have become much less. If you recall my football career, there was a mega-scandal in almost every round. At least, there were many times more complaints to the judges. Of course, now VAR has come to the rescue, but the quality of referees’ work has become better.
