Blokhin demands Dynamo take responsibility
Tuesday, November 20, 2012
Article summary
It may be happy families in the Paris Saint-Germain FC camp but FC Dynamo Kyiv coach Oleh Blokhin, "ashamed" of his team's weekend display, is eager to shake things up.
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Unimpressed by his side's recent form, FC Dynamo Kyiv coach Oleh Blokhin has promised an improvement when they bid to keep alive their qualifying hopes in UEFA Champions League Group A on Wednesday. Paris Saint-Germain FC are the visitors to the Ukrainian capital, with Carlo Ancelotti particularly upbeat as his team seek the draw needed to progress to the last 16.
Dynamo
Oleh Blokhin, coach
We have a small chance to go through, so our aim is to win. Yes, we have a lot of problems now; we lost in the league again [1-0 against Metalurh Donetsk] and at times I was really ashamed of my team. It was difficult for me to analyse the game, since I was watching it on TV, but I wanted to replace half the side by the 20th minute. They seemed weak-willed and unfocused. I will not stand for that any more.
I understand that our fans are unhappy, but we are disappointed too. The coach is responsible for results, but the players have to know that they are responsible for their performances on the pitch. After this game, I will have a tough conversation with the club president, and I promise there will be major changes during the winter break. We need to finish the first part of the season with dignity, so you will see a really motivated Dynamo.
We are going to play to win against PSG, but more important is to show the same kind of desire and motivation that we did against Porto [on matchday four]. I know PSG also have some problems, but they are still a great side that made a lot of big transfers before the start of the season. And, yes, they have Zlatan Ibrahimović, who can decide a game on his own. However, even he needs support, and if the teamwork is bad then it's difficult for any player to show their best.
Weekend result
Saturday: FC Metalurh Donetsk 1-0 Dynamo (Dimitrov 71)
Shovkovskiy; Danilo Silva, Khacheridi, Betão, Taiwo; Yarmolenko, Vukojević (Garmash 80), Haruna, Veloso, Gusev (Dudu 76); Marco Ruben (Khlyobas 68).
• With coach Blokhin staying home, Dynamo fell to their fifth Premier-Liha defeat of the season. They have only once lost as many games in a domestic league campaign since independence, recording five defeats in the whole of 2010/11.
Team news
Blokhin said: "Raffael, Niko Kranjčar and Taras Mikhalik will miss the game. Perhaps we'll bring in some young players to replace them."
PSG
Carlo Ancelotti, coach
In football, like in life, anything can happen, including unexpected defeats. Of course, after the last league match we felt really upset. However, then we had a good team talk and came to satisfactory conclusions, so now we are eager to prove that it was just a blip. You will see that we are in great shape. The game against Dynamo Kyiv is not only a chance to go through to the knockout stage, but also to cheer up after the last league failure.
When we lose I don't give a dressing down in the dressing room. In such cases I talk little but try to look into the eyes of my players; this makes them understand their mistakes better than shouting does. However, at this stage all negative emotions are gone and we have a fantastic atmosphere in the team. We feel like a family. All the players know what they have to do in the upcoming match, and you'll see that everything is fine in our family.
We know not losing in Kyiv will be enough to qualify but we have not come here for a draw. My task as a coach is to motivate the team. I believe in my players and they trust me.
Weekend result
Saturday: PSG 1-2 Stade Rennais FC (Nenê 21; Alessandrini 13, Feret 34)
Sirigu; Camara (Gameiro 63), Alex, Thiago Silva, Maxwell; Matuidi,
Chantôme (Rabiot 46), Nenê, Pastore; Lavezzi, Ménez (Hoarau 39).
• PSG lost on Saturday despite the visitors playing the last 38 minutes with nine men after Jean Makoun followed goalkeeper Benoît Costil (26 minutes) down the tunnel.
Team news
Jérémy Ménez has not made the trip to Ukraine because of a thigh injury sustained against Rennes, while Kevin Gameiro also misses out with back trouble. Christophe Jallet (thigh) is unavailable and Mathieu Bodmer is doubtful.
Match fact
• The sides last met in Ukraine in a UEFA Cup quarter-final second leg on 16 April 2009, when Dynamo won 3-0 with Ognjen Vukojević scoring the third.