Ulyana Ryzhikh: “We expect to show everything we are capable of”

— The new season of the Youth League begins with the match against Strogino. How do you approach the start of the championship?

— To be honest, we are already waiting for the start of the season. We worked hard in the off-season, had several productive training camps, prepared physically, tactically and mentally. We played well in the last matches, first of all, emotionally. The team has united even more and is ready for the start of the Youth League. We want to start the new season with a confident victory, we are waiting for the fans in the stands.

— What are your expectations from the start of the season?

— Of course, I want to perform successfully in my group at the first stage of the Youth League and take the highest place possible. We intend to work productively in the first part of the season in order to fight for the highest places in the second part. We have a good team with a strong coaching staff, we expect to show everything we are capable of.

— Dynamo’s first opponent is Strogino, the team is far from unfamiliar to you. How has it changed compared to last year?

— There have been changes in the Strogino lineup: many girls have left for other teams, the coach has changed. This team has always been distinguished by martial arts, so the game will be of high intensity and competition. Strogino's players are unyielding, and a difficult match awaits us.

We remember the last match of the season, when we played a goalless draw away, and these are not the most pleasant memories. It's time to turn this page and please the fans with a good game.

— During preparation, did you somehow focus on the matches with Strogino from last season?

— I think those matches are a thing of the past. We also had changes in the squad, new players came in, so we are starting with a clean slate.

— The Youth League has once again undergone changes. How do you rate the new tournament format?

— So far everything is unusual. There are quite a few matches at the first stage - only six. Everyone’s groups are equal, plus or minus, and there’s a newcomer in each quartet, so we’ll watch and sort it out. Many teams have updated their rosters, some girls have gone to the Super League. I can say one thing - we will fight and try to win every match!

— You’ve already talked about Strogino, but how would you rate the other rivals in the group – Zenit and Sochi?

— The coach at Zenit changed, many players left the team, but a number of good players remained. I think it will not be easy against them, but we have grown psychologically and are ready to fight.

“Sochi” is a completely new team, we will be glad to see Sasha Shevchenko, who is currently playing there on loan, we keep in touch with her. However, off the field we are friends, on the field we are rivals.

— What do you think about the new season in general? How do you see him?

“We talked a lot about this within the team, with the girls and the coaching staff. Everyone understands that this season will be different, we have different goals, different preparation, and everyone is as serious as possible in order to show good results.