Kostiuk cites pitch quality as main challenge in Dynamo's cup win

Dynamo Kyiv head coach Ihor Kostiuk has assessed his side's 1-0 victory against Nyva Vinnytsia in the Ukrainian Cup Round of 32. The manager admitted that the conditions at the stadium proved to be a significant test for his squad.

Kostiuk pointed to the poor quality of the turf, stating that the home side adapted much faster to the unpredictable ball behavior. According to the coach, this forced Dynamo to spend a considerable amount of time adjusting before they could fully control the game's tempo.

It's a big celebration for Vinnytsia, but you saw the quality of the pitch. The team found it hard to get used to such a surface, as the opponents understood better how the ball would bounce. Ihor Kostiuk

The manager also expressed frustration with a refereeing decision late in the first half, where he felt his team was denied a clear penalty. Despite the obstacles, Kostiuk praised the debutants Lyusin, Dykyi, and Ba for their efforts as they continue to integrate into the first-team structure.

Dynamo Kyiv will now turn their attention to their upcoming match against Epicentr, scheduled for September 14.