Patrick van Leeuwen: We are very happy with the first part of the season. The next goal is to continue the development of the team

The head coach of Kryvyi Rih Kryvbas Patrick van Leeuwen spoke about the results of the first part of the 2025\2026 UPL season.

- What rating would you give your players on a ten-point scale?

- I would say seven. In my opinion, we played very well with the players we had and in the style we tried to use. However, we also lost a few points, which is why, let's say, I can't give a rating higher than seven. Despite all this, I am satisfied with the stability and good play. I repeat, we lost a few points at the end, but I think it was still a very worthy first part of the season.

- Who was the best player on your team?

- At the beginning of the season, we talked with the team about the fact that we needed players who could score goals in different positions. And I think we had important players in different roles. I also think that our defense has improved over the course of the season. Therefore, the defense has contributed to the success of our attacking capabilities. I would not single out one player. It is simply important for me to know that our team remains united, thinks in the same direction and always puts energy into games to achieve positive results.

- Not so long ago, the club announced the sale of Yehor Tverdokhlib and Artur Mykytyshyn to LNZ. How significant are these losses for the team?

- These are young Ukrainian players whom we will miss in the second part of the season. They scored and assisted a lot, so it will be difficult to replace them. Most likely, young performers will become an alternative. This means that at the training camp we have to show them our already worked out moments, which are important for the team, so that they continue the work of Tverdokhleb and Mykytyshyn.

- Andrusw Araujo is currently being actively courted by the press to other clubs. How important is he for Kryvbas, and do you count on him?

- He was able to become an important link in the organization of the team's game, so it was a good first half year for him in our Club. We need to help him become an even more stable performer and take the next step. I hope he will show an interesting game, because he has a specific role.

- Would you like to keep Yvan Dibango in your team, who, as you know, has half a year left on his contract?

- I think this is more a question for the general director Volodymyr Baienko, because he deals with the issue of player contracts. Dibango's future in the Club will be decided at the level of discussions between his agents and the club's management. Dibango was injured, but was able to recover. Our coaching staff worked with him. The physical training coaches helped him return to his previous level as part of the rehabilitation program, and in the last game it was clear that he was gradually regaining his form.

- Valerii Fedorchuk joined your staff the day before. What do you expect from this specialist?

- It is expected that he will transfer his playing experience to our young players, and with his help, foreigners and Ukrainians will gain more knowledge about the Ukrainian championship. And what is more important, we are helping Valerii develop as a specialist. After completing his playing career, he has already worked in the football field for several years, but this is just the beginning. We will help him take the first steps on the way to becoming a good Ukrainian coach.

- What will be the task of Kryvbas for the decisive part of the season?

- In general, we are very satisfied with the first part of the campaign. Our next goal is to continue developing the technique, style of play and try to transfer all the best from the autumn period to the spring in order to make up for the lost points and compensate for them in the second part of the season.

Media of FC "Kryvbas" Kryvyi Rih according to the materials Ukrfootball.ua