One of the creators of the victory over “Kudrivka” was the midfielder of the Cherkasy team Denis Kuzykwhich is exclusive to the site Sport.ua shared the secret of LNZ’s success in the current season.
– Denis, what is the correct name for you: left defender or right midfielder?
– Now, probably, more left lateral (smiles). As we currently play in a 5-3-2 formation, I play on the left in defence. Although I can also be on the flanks of the midfield, if the situation requires it.
– Most often during your career, in which position did you perform?
– I always played as a left defender. And after coming to “Kryvbas” Yuriy Vernydub put me on the right flank of the midfield. I showed myself well there, so I played there for two seasons.
– In the last round, LNZ beat the UPL newcomer “Kudrivka” quite difficult. Why so?
– I think it is due to the fact that the opponents began to treat us more seriously and build a game for us. For example, “Kudrivka” has never operated with five defenders before…
LNZ Denis Kuzyk (right) and Pedrinho – This is not surprising, because LNZ does not want to give second place to anyone yet. What is the secret of such results?
– There are no special secrets here. This is the maximum return not only during matches, but also during training. Faith in each other and the desire to win.
– How do you explain the victories over “Polyssia”, “Shakhtar”, “Dynamo”, but defeats against the teams that are at the bottom of the tournament table?
– We prepare for each opponent in the same way, there is no question of underestimation. Perhaps these matches were due to poor implementation, and we missed due to gross mistakes. As for the victories over our competitors, we were probably more organized here, I can’t find any other explanation (smiles).
– Which match performed by LNZ in the current championship do you consider to be the best in terms of game quality?
– I think against Shakhtar. After all, it’s not every day you score four goals against such a strong team.
Dynamo. Denis Kuzyk – You can be called a pupil of “Dynamo”, in which you spent about 10 years. Why was it not possible to gain a foothold in the first team?
– Due to high competition. I reached the youth team, trained with the base, but I realized that they were not really counting on me. I saw no point in sitting and waiting for my chance, especially since I had the opportunity to play in the Premier League. So I decided to leave.
– Who was your competitor for the role of left defender at Dynamo?
– There were many applicants for this position. It was incredibly difficult to win the competition from Vitaly Mykolenko (smiles). And there was also Yosyp Pivarich, Sidklay and Kostya Vivcharenko of my birthday.
– When did your contract with “Dynamo” end?
– We terminated it by mutual consent of the parties, and I moved to Kryvbas as a free agent in August 2023.
– Are the matches against “Dynamo” to some extent fundamental for you?
– Not anymore. Maybe the first one after leaving the team, and then everything went smoothly. This is an ordinary opponent, like everyone else (smiles).
– At the beginning of November was your first victory against Dynamo, playing for another team?
– Yes. And, by the way, I also managed to beat Shakhtar for the first time in the Premier League. You can say, the season of debuts (smiles).
– In your opinion, why has “Dynamo” slowed down so much in the results now?
– It is difficult for me to say. Perhaps the moves associated with European Cup matches leave their mark, as I felt it myself when I played for Kryvbas. Although, this is their kitchen and they should figure out their own problems.
LNZ Denis Kuzyk in the match with Dynamo – Most often, the first two places were shared by “Dynamo” and “Shakhtar”. Now, to some extent, LNZ is in the place of Dynamo. And if the “white and blue” would have a task to take first place, then what are the goals of your team for the current championship?
– There are no specifics. We try to go out and win every match, and at the end of the season we will see where LNZ will be. Although there is something to hide, probably every football player dreams of trying his hand at the international arena. At least we will try to be as high as possible in the standings.
– There are two matches left before the winter break. Will you be satisfied only if LNZ takes the maximum in the meetings with “Obolon” and “Zareya”?
– Of course. It is necessary to try to keep the bar and correspond to the place where our team is now.
– LNZ continues to perform in the Cup of Ukraine. Do you think your team faced the strongest opponent in the quarter-finals of all UPL representatives?
– Definitely. “Bukovyna” is the leader of the First League, the team has not yet lost in the current season. Therefore, the match will be very interesting.
– Does LNZ have a task to win this tournament?
– And here we were not set clear goals. However, we want to go as far as possible. We will do everything to make it at least to the finals of the competition.
Source: sport.ua