Former Dynamo Kyiv player Oleksandr Aliev has criticised the current generation of Dynamo players, stating that many of them do not understand the club they play for. Aliev, who previously had a reputation as a fun-loving and regime-breaking sport, now lives by strict military rules since joining the ranks of self-defence and then the Ukrainian Armed Forces. In an exclusive interview with FanDay.net, he commented on the current problems facing his former club and gave predictions about the final battle in the Ukrainian Premier League. Aliev believes that Dynamo’s young players need to understand the type of club they are defending and that it’s time for adult football.
Former Dynamo Kyiv player Oleksandr Aliev does not enjoy the game shown by the current generation of Dynamo players. He is sure many young players do not understand what club they play for.
One of the most talented midfielders in Ukraine in the early to mid-2000s, Alexander Aliev, who previously had a dubious reputation as a fun-loving and regime-breaking sport, now lives not just by the regime, but by strict rules . from the military charter.
From the first days of the war, Aliyev joined the ranks of self-defense, and later in the Ukrainian Armed Forces. Meanwhile, despite the lack of free time and additional services, Alexander still finds a few minutes to give an exclusive interview to FanDay.net.
Once very capricious, now the Dynamo player very evenly commented on his vision of the current problems of his native club, gave predictions about the final battle in the UPL, told what he would do after the victory over Russia and not only.
“I don’t think Dnepr-1 intentionally lost to Kryvbas. I’m sure they want to test their strength in the Champions League.”
– Let’s start with the fact that I am very happy that the 2022/2023 season, despite the full-scale war, despite all the difficulties, took place, – Aliyev began the conversation. ‒ This season’s matches are mostly played in non-hostile cities. Yes, the championship was not that great, but thank God, it goes on and it will end.
– Is it worth it to finally open the audience from the new season? After all, concerts are held in Ukrainian cities, but fans are not allowed into the audience.
– So far, there is a war in this country, I think this should not be done. You, like me, see for yourself that rockets fly towards us every day.
As for the concert and the fact that people sing and dance… I watch and read a lot of news on social networks, I monitor the posts of military men sitting in the trenches. They fight, and in the back at the same time, another guy is having fun. How about in general? Dancing on bones. Some fight, some dance.
– In the last round we will have many interesting matches. For example, Dnepr-1 – Kryvbas. They say, at the level of rumours, that Oleksandr Kucher’s team can give this match to Yuriy Vernidub’s team. They say that it will be more profitable for Dnipro to play in the Europa League group at once than to try to go through three Champions League qualifiers.
– This is the first time I heard it. I don’t think Dnepr-1 will intentionally lose to Kryvbas. I’m sure they want to test their strength in the Champions League. This is the strongest and most prestigious tournament.
This is nonsense that Dnepr-1 can only give points to Kryvbas. I don’t know who spread such rumors and why.
– Another match with a claim for the central title will take place in Hijrah, where Vorskla will face an unmotivated Shakhtar.
– I think Igor Jovichevich will put the second squad for this match, so to speak, let those who have a little game practice during the season play. However, I am sure this will not make it easy for Vorskla to score points in the match against Shakhtar.
Vorskla still have a chance to hang on to fifth place, which gives them the right to play in the Conference League qualifiers, so they will certainly give the Pitmen a match. Viktor Skripnik has a pretty good team. I watched a few of their games and the only thing is that Poltava just seems to have a bit of bad luck.
– Many experts called Luhansk Zorya a major breakthrough, they said, they did not expect such a result from Patrick van Leeuwen’s team and, above all, a high-quality game.
– I personally attended the match Zorya – Dynamo and I really liked the game of the Luhansk team. They have great ball control and movement. I could not see many matches of Zorya, but in the games that I saw with my own eyes, I repeat, I really liked the Luhansk team.
Opening or not opening the Dawn tournament? do not know. I cannot answer this question clearly.
I will also say that I liked the game of Chernomorets Roman Grigorchuk, especially in the match against Dynamo, again. However, after the match with the residents of Kiev, something in their game went wrong. Start losing eyes suddenly. I don’t know, maybe their main task for this season is to beat Dynamo (laugh).
«Dynamo’s young players finally have to understand that children’s football is over»
– In the 30th round in the UPL, it will also be interesting to watch the matches of teams that will fight for 11-12 places, places that will definitely allow you to stay in the elite, and not play with luck in transition matches.
– You know, for me, all four teams – Veres, Ingulet, Rukh and Metallist 1925 – have almost equal chances of success. So I’m not going to pick anyone.
Is it clear that in the event of a victory over Ingulets, Veres will guarantee itself a place in the Premier League for next season, this is clear.
Will Metalist 1925 have the hardest time as they will face Dynamo? Do not think.
And Zorya, and Chernomorets, and Ingulets, and many teams have shown that you can play with the current Dynamo. Moreover, score points. If Edmar and Golodyuk choose the right tactics for the game, set the man to win, anything is possible.
I don’t want to lose Dynamo, this is my favorite club, but Metalist 1925 can get on their nerves.
– Why did Dynamo fall so badly in this tournament? For the first time since 2014, the people of Kiev were left without any awards at all.
– This question is not for me. Such questions should be asked of Mircea Lucescu. Or Sasha Shovkovsky, who is now in charge of the team. I don’t know what’s going on in the team.
As a fan, I will say that in the matches I saw, I did not get any pleasure from playing Dynamo. very. First of all, I am talking about the matches that I saw with my own eyes when I was in the stadium. I saw and did not recognize this team, I did not believe that this was Dynamo.
I understand that there are many factors: there is a war going on, there are no fans, many legionnaires have left the team, but. I share and understand Mikhailovich (Igor Surkis – circa FanDay)when, after the match with the Ingulets, he said that you can’t play like that! He, as president, did everything in his power, and they …
Players who currently play for Dynamo should understand the type of club this is. What players play for, what Dynamo achieves. Many young players who now play for Dynamo should understand where they are going, the respect of the club they are defending.
The young people of Kiev finally have to understand that children’s football is over! It’s time for adult football.
In this tournament, they look weak, and in Europe they have no relevance at all.
“Yarmolenko’s return to Dynamo will help the team. His presence will be a great motivation for the youth.”
– Shouldn’t Igor Surkis pay compensation and fire Mircea Lucescu? The Romanian seems to have lost his influence on the team. Yes, and white and blue fans, to put it mildly, do not like it.
– It is not in my competence to advise Igor Surkis something. He, not me, is the president. He spends money on the club. He knows better whether to leave Lucescu as Dynamo leader or not.
As for Shovkovsky, he definitely has potential. He didn’t just go to a course and get a coaching license. Sasha definitely wants to be a coach. At the moment, as we see, fate smiled on him, and then … Personally, I would be very happy if Shovkovsky was appointed as the head coach of Dynamo.
– The main news of the coming week is the possible return of Andriy Yarmolenko to Dynamo. Can old players who have spent the last few years without proper match practice really strengthen the Kiev club?
– That’s why you recorded Yarmolenko as a grandfather? He is only 33 years old. He’s young, he can still play. There are examples – the same Messi and Ronaldo. These are, as they say, geeks. But Andryukha is also physically ready. I think if he returns to Dynamo, he will help the team.
His presence will be a great motivation for young people. He is always humble. He is sociable and can laugh. I always welcome young people’s respect for their elders.
– Shakhtar’s next championship is the result of their good play, or is it still fair to say that the main rivals, namely Dynam, have lost a lot of ground?
– Shakhtar had a very smooth season. Although I think that Dnipro-1 will fight with them for gold until the end, will play and consistently win victories, as in the beginning-middle of the season, but Oleksandr Kucher’s men did not succeed. Dnipros may have some experience. Although there are many young players in Shakhtar, at the moment they are clearly stronger.
“After a victory, you want to get drunk, and then go and relax by the sea”
– Should the UPL be expanded to 18 or 20 clubs?
– I don’t mind if the Premier League has not 20, but 22 teams, but the most important thing for our country now is not football, the main thing is to end the war as soon as possible.
Even before the war, the level of football in our country was lame, not to mention the present.
I repeat, I am only for increasing the number of teams in the UPL, I am only for increasing the number of people who will invest in Ukrainian football, develop it, I am only for younger and high-quality players, however, I repeat – we need to end the war. Win and live in your free state.
– You serve in the Armed Forces. Aren’t you tired of the army, instead of sports uniforms?
– After a year and a half in the army during the war, I got a little tired, everything puts pressure on you. Psychologically, it is very difficult. But there was nothing to do but survive. What bothers me the most is children dying. Even the day before, on Children’s Day, children died in Kyiv …
When I’m “in the groove” (dismissal in military slang – circa FanDay), then I put on sports clothes and for me this is a relief. You forgot for a moment.
I really want to wait for the day when we win. I want to get drunk right after, and then go and relax by the sea, at least ten days. And then live and mind your own business.
