To love football, to be faithful to it and then it will treat you back same way: Dmytro Mykhaylenko

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FC Dnipro coach Dmytro Mykhaylenko. Image Source: Xtra Time

Former Ukranian midfielder Dmytro Mykhaylenko who had plied his trade with some of the top most European clubs is now in India with his side FC Dnipro Dnipropetrovsk participating in the Nagjee International Football Tournament. Dnipro lost in the Europa League final last year and has already been a revelation in the Nagjee tournament. Dnipro will be facing Watford U-21 in the semifinal. The talismanic midfielder who is a very good friend of Ukrainian legend Andriy Shevchenko has taken some time off from his busy schedule to have a chat with commentator Suman Chakravorty on behalf of “Xtratime”.

XT) Before coming to India, what were the conceptions u had about Indian football?

Ans: Before coming here, I had the sketchiest notion of Indian football, based on the accidently seen match with lots of spectators passionately supporting the team and hard weather conditions for the game.

XT) You have played for the Ukraine national team, what do you think about the present conditions of Ukrainian football?

Ans: Current state of events in Ukrainian football is very hard due to economic situation but the National Team is strong and can show good results at the European Championship this year.

XT) Do you have any plan to do coaching in India in future?

Ans: This would be very interesting! I like India, its culture, and the level of attention paid to the football here today. And, of course, the way fans support the teams here.

XT) According to you who has been the greatest Ukrainian player and why?

Ans: Andriy Shevchenko. His talent was acknowledged worldwide as Milan of that time was outstanding team and Andriy played there the leading part. None else among Ukrainian players reached such level of game.

XT) Tell us about the sudden rise of FC Dnipro in European club football?

Ans: FC Dnipro last year’s performance is the teams’ peak of development and thanks to this in addition with luck it has reached the highest achievement in its history. And here I’d like to mention that huge influence on the qualitative breakthrough and teams’ development in general was done by Juande Ramos, prominent specialist in the field of football. Though he was not that lucky during his work for the club, his impact cannot be underestimated.

XT) Being so close to Andrii Shevchencho, what are the things u needs to see to get the next Shevchencho in Ukrainian football?

Ans: Even now, we have players of huge talent, like Konoplianka, Yarmolenko, but they stayed for too long in the Ukrainian Championship. They have huge potential but need to get into the more challenging atmosphere and conditions in order to develop and progress further.

XT) Which had been the most precious moment of ur playing career?

Ans: Semifinal of Champions League 1998.

XT) Which has been the most painful phase of your life which u want to forget as a footballer?

Ans: I cannot remind events that caused pain to me. I love football from the childhood and this is a dream that came true in my life, so I treat even the moment of being not happy with respect, calmness and understanding, as it is a part of the game, part of my life.As there is always a light stripe that follows the black one.

XT) As a coach who is your idol and why?

Ans: There is no such a coach who I treat as idol. There are specialists, coaches, whose work I monitor and follow with interest. There are also coaches who influenced me when I was a player. I study and develop, try to understand the evolution of the game. In my work with players, I rely on the experience I have gained being a player and on my ideas and general human values.

XT) As a coach what would be your advice for the future Indian footballers?

Ans: To love football, to be faithful to it and then it will treat you back same way.