The midfielder has scored a winning goal in Genoa in the UEFA Cup match against Sampdoria and this will help the Kharkiv team to get ready for the second match without worrying too much.

- Denys, how is Metalist practicing after return from Genoa?

- We returned to Kharkiv on Thursday morning. Those players that were not on the pitch during the Genoa match or played just a few minutes in Italy started practicing on Thursday. The rest of the players arrived to the training base on Friday. We are practicing every day. It looks like we will have to play the second match in the difficult weather conditions. It is cold in Kharkiv right now and there is plenty of snow. So, we are training on a snow-covered pitch.

- Do you manage to stay injury free during the practices?

- Yes, we don’t play rough against each other during the practice. Tomorrow we are going to come out to the Metalist stadium – will test the pitch prior to the game.

- Is pitch condition the biggest of your worries prior to the second match against Italians?

- We realize quite well that the pitch cannot be in the same condition as it was during spring or summer. However, the stadium staff does everything they can – the pitch is covered with the agro cloth and the pitch heaters are on.

- Are you ready to become the hero of the match one more time, just like you did in Genoa?

- I don’t consider myself a hero. It was a team victory. Of course, I will prepare for the game. It would be nice to score in every match, but we will see how that goes. In any case, we have to advance past Sampdoria. We need to keep the performance level high, once it has been achieved.

- Which of your ex-teammates from Dynamo congratulated you on the goal?

- A number of them called: Sasha Rybka, Oleh Dopilka, Artem Milevsky. There were also a lot of calls from Chernovtsy – my father’s ex-teammates congratulated me (Oliynyk’s father played with local Bukovyna team – ed.). There were also plenty of congratulations via SMS, but I am already past those and I am getting ready for the second match against Italians.

- With a tough schedule like that did you manage to celebrate the away victory?

- No time for celebrations right now – the second match is coming up. Then we will have to play against Dynamo Kiev in the national championship. We will celebrate when the season is over, but now we have to work.

- Do current teammates call you an Olen’?

- Yes, I had the same nickname both in Arsenal and in Dynamo. I am not offended.

- What about your living conditions?

- The club has provided me with a two room apartment in a new building right next to the Metalist stadium. This is very convenient.