Mykola Shaparenko: «In both the Conference League and the UPL we must play with 100% commitment

Dynamo midfielder Mykola Shaparenko shared his expectations ahead of the upcoming UEFA Conference League main-stage match against Fiorentina.

– For you as a player what does it mean to take part in such an important tournament as the Conference League?

– Of cours every match is important and in the Conference League we must play with full commitment just like in the Ukrainian Championship.

– What do you think about the match against Fiorentina? Did you expect that the “Viola” would currently be in last place in Serie A?

– Fiorentina are a very good team. They’re having some difficulties in the league but I think it’s temporary because they have very good players. And tomorrow should also be a good match.

– Italian journalists also did not expect Dynamo to have a run of poor results. Can you explain more detailed why this is happening to the team?

– There are times when things are difficult and something just doesn’t work out. It happens but we need to stay strong and, despite all challenges, keep going with our heads held high. I hope that with time everything will get better. There are ups and downs… I think everything will be fine eventually.

– I think you’ve already gotten used to these difficult trips caused by the war. We understand you and sympathize a lot. How do these difficult travels affect the team’s performance?

– We’re not used to it – such trips are still very hard (smiles). I don’t even know how to explain it to you. You know, on the road it’s train–bus–plane, then plane–bus–train… Until you’ve travelled all those kilometers yourself, you just can’t feel that fatigue, that pain after which you still have to recover, then go to training and after that you need to play.