Dynamo head coach Marcel Licka answered journalists' questions after the match with Fakel (1:1).
— Of course, it's a shame when the opponent scores in the 99th minute. We understood that it would be difficult here. Fakel played more simply, directing the balls forward to Kashtanov and Markov. These are two good experienced forwards who know how to play with their backs to the opponent's goal. We managed to cope with overhangs and serves until the last seconds of the game. In the second half we had two great chances to score the second goal. Unfortunately, it didn't work out, and the opponent punished us for it. This is football, it happens.
— Did the substitutions you made in the second half somehow strengthen the game?
— In the 70th minute, the opponent began to take even more risks to even the score, and it was convenient for Tyukavin and Carrascal, who know how to play one-on-one and quickly come forward. We can say that these substitutions turned out because Bales had a great moment when he hit his head, plus his excellent decision to hit an empty goal from the center of the field – he almost had enough luck. Carrascal had a great one-on-one a few times.
— In the first round, the victory over Fakel was easy for you. This time the game was completely different. What is the reason?
— We must pay tribute to the quality of the opponent. Fakel tried to play aggressively in front of its fans. And if you just play your football without showing the same level of aggression, then you will not succeed. The atmosphere in the stadium is great, and this also gives an advantage to the home team. Fakel has a team spirit, good discipline, they put a lot of pressure on the opponent.
— Were you surprised by the active pressure of Fakel in the other half of the field today?
— No, I'm not surprised. We talked about it, that they play high enough and are waiting for the moment to press. We had good exits through Diego 2-3 times, then it got harder. But we expected this and showed it to the players at the pre-match debriefings. It will not be easy for anyone in Voronezh. I can't say that our game didn't work out today or that the attitude to the game was bad because the guys tried. Yes, it was not the most beautiful football, but we scored a goal, endured, had chances, but, unfortunately, we missed in the end.
— Is this goal an individual mistake or maybe the lack of Fabian Balbuena on the pitch?
— We shot a lot of long serves and crosses – Marichal, Kutitskiy, Fernandez and Dasa did it. When the last minutes of the game go by, the opponent runs into the penalty area, and chaos reigns there. There were 5-6 opponents there, and it so happened that the ball got into the zone between our players. Happiness was on the side of the "Torch", there was no gross tactical error.
— Who of the injured will be able to play with Akhmat in the next round?
— Almost everyone will be ready for the cup meeting with Lokomotiv. Balbuena, Ngamaleu, Gagnidze and Bitello stayed in Moscow, preparing for this game. The rest were here with us in Voronezh. Luis Chavez and Nicolas Marichal, despite the fact that they returned from the national teams at the last moment, played 90 minutes today. I am very happy for the team spirit and the desire to play.
