Mircea Lucescu: We can’t play attacking football against Benfica

Added at:
another languages: uk ru

FC Dynamo Kyiv head coach Mircea Lucescu shared his expectations of the Champions League qualification play-off round first leg against SL Benfica at the pre-match press conference.

- What do you think of Benfica striker Roman Yaremchuk, who used to play for Dynamo?
- Yaremchuk is a really good forward. I think he’s important player for Benfica and for Ukraine national team.

- Dynamo have already done the impossible by outplaying Fenerbahce and Sturm. Have you got stronger mentally?
- Our situations are incomparable. Benfica have great structure and funds to pay for high profile players. We’ll have to fight on the field. Dynamo currently can’t conduct transfers, we don’t play at home. The team is training on the same field as kids, players don’t live with their families.

Still, despite all that, Dynamo did very well against Fenerbahce and Sturm. We hope we’ll reach the Champions League group stage. It’s important for Ukraine and players feel that. A lot of Ukrainian supporters come to our games – mothers with children. They want to feel unity while being far from Ukraine. We’ll try to give them positive emotions.

Benfica are great team. As I’ve said, in summer they signed fantastic young players – Florentino and Neres. The quality of their lineup has got better, they demonstrate spectacular football. Benfica have more opportunities than Dynamo, but everything is possible in football.

Unfortunately we can’t count on Sydorchuk and Harmash due to suspension. These are the most experienced players of our team. I expect to see a very difficult game, but we’re ready for that.

- Are you proud your players perform on top level under such difficult circumstances?
- I am. No one but us can feel how tough that is, what it’s like to work under these circumstances. But when players take the field, they turn into true professionals and do their best. I’m thankful for that.

- Shall we see defensive football by Dynamo tomorrow?
- We can’t play attacking football against Benfica. They have a lot of fast skillful players, who can create space. They’re very strong individually. But football is unpredictable. Benfica are of higher class, but we play with our hearts.

another languages: uk ru

Sport News RSS - Sport News - Terrikon

23 April

17:09
Barcelona Secure Hansi Flick's Future Until 2027
10:49
Copa Libertadores: Internacional Pull Off Stunning 3-Goal Comeback & Highlights from Matchday 3
08:59
Valencia and Espanyol Share the Points in Relegation Six-Pointer
08:44
Barcelona Fire 40 Shots But Settle for Narrow Win Over Mallorca
08:28
PSG Drop Points Against Relegation-Battling Nantes
08:13
City Snatch Late Victory Over Aston Villa to Climb to Third

22 April

14:40
Manchester United Eye Double Real Madrid Raid: Lunin and Tchouaméni for €100 Million
08:37
Girona's Freefall Continues as Relegation Fears Grow
08:19
Nottingham Forest Bounce Back to Third After Win Over Tottenham

21 April

23:13
Leeds United and Burnley Seal Return to the Premier League
12:17
Serie A Matches Postponed Following the Death of Pope Francis
08:36
Atalanta Edge Out Lacklustre AC Milan
08:19
Federico Valverde's Last-Minute Stunner Saves Real Madrid Against Athletic Bilbao

20 April

22:33
Bayern on Brink of Bundesliga Title After Bayer Drop Points Again
21:42
Oscar Piastri Beats Verstappen to Take Formula 1 Championship Lead
21:05
Serie A Title Race Heats Up as Inter Fall to Bologna
20:42
Alexander-Arnold's Fairytale Return Puts Liverpool on Title's Doorstep
18:45
Arsenal Crush Ipswich to Stay in Premier League Title Race
18:27
Manchester United Slip Again as In-Form Wolves Make History
18:10
Chelsea Fight Back to Stun Fulham in Dramatic Late Show
15:25
Official: Barcelona Hit by Major Injury Blow as Top Scorer Sidelined
10:24
Las Palmas Stun Atlético Madrid with Last-Gasp Winner
09:14
Mason Greenwood Brace Powers Olympique Marseille Back Into Second Place
08:55
Shomurodov Fires AS Roma to Victory Over Hellas Verona
08:15
Anatoliy Trubin Shines in Clean Sheet as Benfica Catch Up with Sporting CP