Oleksandr Shovkovskyi expressed mixed feelings after his "Dynamo" Kyiv side secured a comfortable 3-0 away victory in the first leg of the UEFA Champions League second qualifying round against their Maltese opponents.
"First of all, I congratulate the fans on an important victory in our first official game. We won 3-0, but I believe we should have scored many more. Creating so many unconverted chances certainly doesn't add optimism, although it's good that we're creating them at all," Shovkovskyi stated after the match.
The Kyiv head coach highlighted the challenging conditions his team faced, with temperatures reaching 29°C during the match. Despite these difficulties, the Ukrainian side took a significant step toward advancing to the next qualification round.
Interestingly, "Dynamo" also had a goal disallowed during the match. Shovkovskyi explained: "If I understood correctly, the referee said that Mykola Mykhailenko, while in an offside position, made a block that influenced the players' actions, so the goal wasn't counted."
The coach also acknowledged the support from traveling fans. "It's always pleasant when people support you, no matter where on Earth you are—it always adds strength," he remarked.
By the way, should "Dynamo" complete the job in the return leg scheduled for Tuesday, July 29, they will face either Paphos or Maccabi Tel Aviv in the next round. The first match between those teams ended in a 1-1 draw.
Shovkovskyi concluded his post-match comments with a poignant tribute: "I also want to thank our Armed Forces for giving us the opportunity to bring positive emotions to our people and country during this difficult time."
Can the Kyiv club convert more of their chances in the return leg? The 3-0 cushion certainly gives them breathing room, but their coach clearly wants more clinical finishing from his squad.
