"Žalgiris supports Ukraine": Litvinenko on the fantastic 7:2 comeback in the Conference League and departure from Kharkiv

Zalgiris midfielder Ivan Lytvynenko in an exclusive interview with "UF" talked about the comeback from 0:3 in the Conference League and his move from FC Kharkiv.

The Lithuanian Zalgiris with two Ukrainians in the squad after a 0:3 loss to Dynamo Tbilisi in the Conference League qualification won 7:2 and advanced to the next round. Midfielder of the team from Vilnius Ivan Lytvynenko in an exclusive interview with the "UF" website shared details of the comeback and his departure from FC Kharkiv.

Ivan Lytvynenko demonstrated solid football last season with Metalist 1925, but unexpectedly moved to Lithuanian Zalgiris a month ago, where another Ukrainian Stanislav Bilenky had already ended up. Now they are fighting together for the gold medals of the Lithuanian championship and shining in the Conference League.

Commentator Kyrylo Krutorohov spoke with Ivan Lytvynenko in an interview for the "Ukrainian Football" website.

1. "We have a very family atmosphere, together with the fans. They support us a lot, fly to away matches, spend their money on it."

‒ You lost in Georgia with a score of 0:3. Honestly, at that moment and throughout the week, did you believe that the battle was not lost yet?

‒ It was emotionally difficult. But now, after the return match, I understand that it just wasn't our day in Tbilisi. Not the best game for everyone who was on our side, unnecessary goals in our net after childish mistakes and within 15 minutes. So one thing led to another. Although we tried to turn the game around while we were there. When we returned home, we had another very important match in the championship, we were also losing in it, but won 3:2 in the last minutes and tested our character.

‒ What changed in the preparation for the second match compared to the first one?

‒ We lost the first half in Georgia 0:3, in the second half, we rebuilt and played much better, didn't allow the opponent to create anything, understood that we were more active. And we came out with these conclusions for the return match. We listened to the coaches, their plan worked, and we did everything we could.

‒ Nevertheless, the first half of the home match was not good for you - you missed a penalty, then seemed to take the lead, but the opponent equalized again. What was happening during the break?

‒ Overall, we entered the game with the mindset: "all or nothing"! We played the first half very actively, missed a penalty, had good moments that we didn't capitalize on, then scored from a penalty, and when the opponent reached our goal for the first time, they immediately scored. Perhaps we were nervous. It seemed like we were holding them back, but we let it slip. During the break, we returned to the thought: we have nothing to lose, so it's all or nothing! Moreover, the stadium was pushing us forward, the game was going well for us.

‒ So during the break, you didn't have your own Ibrahimovic who shouts "Italy!" and flips the table?

‒ There was no such thing, but we stood in a circle again, looked each other in the eyes, and said that we would give everything we had. We returned to the field with the confidence that we would score and turn the game around. We understood that Dynamo didn't feel very comfortable on our field. Especially since we play on synthetic turf, and overall, we hoped that this would help us write, perhaps, not such a story as Bud/Glimt, but something of our own, using this factor.

‒ Did the second half bring satisfaction to you and other players directly or was it still stressful until you broke through?

‒ Stress was felt throughout the match because we understood how important this game was - for every player, coaches, the club, for all the fans. We have a very family atmosphere, together with the fans. They support us a lot, fly to away matches, spend their money on it. Yes, we don't have 100 thousand in the stands, but 5 thousand, yet the atmosphere is top-notch. And when we led 3:1 and needed just one more goal to equalize the score for the two matches, we again conceded an unnecessary silly goal.

But I looked at the scoreboard, realized there were still 22 minutes left, we had already scored three, so why couldn't we score two more, for example?! We restarted from the center, immediately scored the fourth, and then we kept going. And our Ukrainian Stanislav Bilenky started shining, and in the end, he completed a hat-trick. At some point, it felt like the opponent was panicking, and it was good that we brought the situation to a winning one in regular time.

‒ Probably, you participated in such a match for the first time?

‒ Considering the positive emotions, yes, I've never experienced anything like it in my life. What I felt after the match will probably be hard to feel again someday. I caught cramps several times, but still kept running. When I played for Dinamo Batumi, we had a Conference League match with 20 thousand spectators, but then we lost.

"We lost 0:3, but won 7:2 with just a one-week break. This shows the strong psychology of the team."

‒ What was happening in the stands in Vilnius?

‒ It was like an earthquake. Everyone was happy. My wife and son were in the stands, I saw their joy and the joy of the people around - it was an incredible feeling. When you go through a difficult path, injuries, problems in football, and so on, it's worth it for moments like this. You understand why you put your whole life into it and love football so much.

‒ What did you talk about after the match?

‒ Few could find the words. Everyone was satisfied, coaches, directors, everyone thanked us. We went out, believed, proved that we are a team with character, and we didn't let down our fans and ourselves. We lost 0:3, but won 7:2 with just a one-week break. This shows the strong psychology of the team.

‒ Was Bilenky suffocated in hugs?

‒ When he scored his third goal - he dug it out, then gave it in a cobweb, I ran to him, leaned on him, and then when everyone started jumping on us and lying down, I thought he would suffocate, and I with him. I was already shouting: Get up! And they all lay on us in joy. I thought, "Stas scored three, but now he'll stay here on the grass."

‒ Did they promise him some kind of presentation?

‒ We have cool features in the team. During training, in mini-games, we collect points, then the club gives a coupon for a restaurant of your choice. I think Stas won't even stay without a gift according to the contract.

‒ Were you able to sleep at night?

‒ I hardly slept.

‒ Did you decide to worsen your mood?

‒ No, it was interesting. We all watched LNZ as a team because I brought my iPad. Everyone was rooting for LNZ.

‒ Your next opponent is Hajduk. How do you assess them?

‒ We understand that they are a big club, it will be tough, especially away, as there are 35 thousand people in the stands. We respect our opponents, but the key is what we take from the matches with Dinamo Tbilisi – we have character. We will definitely try to give a fight to Hajduk. They are stronger than our previous opponents. But they also need to understand that Zalgiris is not an easy place.

1. "There are many Ukrainians here, many cars with Ukrainian license plates, many of our flags, and on the stands of our stadium, it says 'Zalgiris supports Ukraine'."

‒ You've been with the team for a little over a month, how do you like it at Zalgiris?

‒ Everything is great! It helps me that Stas Bilenky is here. He joined the team a couple of weeks before me. And when I received the offer, I talked to him, he said the right words that also influenced my choice. The atmosphere here is wonderful, and people have a great mentality. They are solid in everything: in style of clothing, appearance, way of communication, behavior, and readiness to help.

You have to understand that Zalgiris is the most legendary club in Lithuania, so everything here is at a high level – from the club and stadium to media presentation and fans. People are very polite. The club creates all the conditions, helps with documents and other things. Europe is not easy, to rent a place or open a bank account, you need to go through a million processes and come somewhere to get something, to write something down.

‒ What is the main contrast compared to Ukraine?

‒ Honestly, I have never had such a peaceful sleep as I do now during the war in Ukraine. Life goes on here, people have never felt what Ukrainians feel, and we have already become so accustomed to it, with curfews, shelling, and other nuances. And here, planes fly over the house, sometimes you wake up thinking: is this a shelling? So when the option with Zalgiris came up, I understood that it would be very good for my son, for my family, and for me at this time.

‒ How were you received by the fans?

‒ There is a cool strong connection between the club and the fans. I even look forward to match days when I can see or hear them again. We communicate, and it's very pleasant. They can ask for a photo or even give a gift themselves. It's all very nice. I am happy about all of this – both in terms of football and as a person. So in these one and a half months, I am just enjoying the fact that I made this move.

‒ Is there a language barrier?

‒ Lithuanians are very progressive in English. I also speak English fluently. Besides, there are many Ukrainians here, many cars with Ukrainian license plates, many of our flags, and simply on the stands of our stadium, it says 'Zalgiris supports Ukraine'. In everyday life, you can hear Russian, but hopefully, in a year or two, these people will speak Ukrainian instead of Russian.

‒ What are the team's ambitions?

‒ We aim to win the championship. Last year, Kaunas Zalgiris became the champion – I think they are our direct competitors. When I arrived, we were in sixth place, but everyone was close in the standings. Now we are second and have a chance for the championship. We will do everything for this and give all our efforts to go as far as possible in the Conference League.

‒ How do you assess the championship?

‒ It's challenging, competitive, very even. Soon we will be playing every three days against the leaders. There is a feeling that every opponent can beat anyone. The teams are roughly similar in style.

1. "My progress and what happened to me – all thanks to Kharkiv and the support of the club president."

‒ Your departure from then Metalist 1925 was quite unexpected. What led to this?

‒ I saw how my situation was developing in the club, which players were coming. I played in the starting lineup, Arevale came to my position, and he started playing. I understood that they were also signing Yatsyk and Profini for this position. For myself, I understood that I needed to play, especially since I had a good season, there were offers, and I had to take advantage of them. Although I still had a contract for a year and I was happy in the team, plus my family was nearby. It's always hard to leave your comfort zone, but new challenges can bring something more.

‒ What specific offers did you have?

‒ There were offers from Ukraine and other countries. But I outlined Zalgiris as the main option for myself – because it's Europe, maximum tournament ambitions, and a chance to play in European competitions.

‒ How did the transition process go?

‒ When the official offer came from Zalgiris, I called President Bohdan Volodymyrovych Boyko. We had two conversations, not easy ones. One – the main one, lasted about an hour. We talked about everything. I am really grateful to the Kharkiv club, especially to the president. Because he changed my life when he believed in me and invited me from Georgia to the team.

My progress and what happened to me – all thanks to Kharkiv and the support of Bohdan Volodymyrovych, the constant contact that he allows me to maintain with him. When there was a real need, he was always there and helped. Even in this situation, he heard me and allowed me to leave.

‒ Can it be considered that you parted with Kharkiv on good terms?

‒ I believe so. After signing the contract with Zalgiris, I sent a message to the president with words of thanks. He also thanked me and wished me success. I think that if I ever can repay this club or congratulate them on something, I will always write to Bohdan Volodymyrovych, and he will reply to me.

‒ Will you support them in the new season?

‒ Of course, I will follow and support. However, watching UPL broadcasts in Lithuania is a problem, you need to use a VPN for that.I cannot help but root for the club that has given me so much. And I sincerely wish that all the efforts and financial investments made by the owners and Bohdan Volodymyrovych in particular would be returned to them and they would achieve what they aspire to: good game, results, and success. And I hope they won't have to wait for years for this. Because the way he changed the lives of everyone in the club, primarily with financial stability in these difficult times, and overall the conditions in which the club lives and works - deserves great respect.

- What position do you think they will hold at the end of the new season?

- It is necessary to analyze how things are going in other teams in general, but I wish Kharkiv to finish in the European competition zone.