--- title: "Kendzerek After Heavy Defeat to Shakhtar: 'Second Place is Just the First Loser'" description: "Dynamo acting head coach Maciej Kendzerek stated after a 0-3 loss to Shakhtar in the Ukrainian Cup that the elimination does not affect the team's ambitions to win the UPL in their anniversary season, while confirming his focus on the upcoming match against Kryvbas." date: 2026-10-27T21:12:46.098Z lang: en url: https://xab.info/en/posts/kendzerek-dinamo-shakhtar-upl-ambitions tags: [dynamo-kyiv, shakhtar, ukrainian-premier-league, maciej-kendzerec, ukrainian-cup, krivbass] author: "Dmitriy Shatolov" publisher: "XAB.info" --- # Kendzerek After Heavy Defeat to Shakhtar: 'Second Place is Just the First Loser' ![Dynamo Kyiv acting head coach Maciej Kendzerek actively gestures on the sideline during a match](https://xab.info/media/2026/10/27/kendzerek-dinamo-shakhtar-ambitsii-upl/kendzerek-dinamo-shakhtar-ambitsii-upl-1.webp) ## Key Points - Dynamo lost 0-3 to Shakhtar in the Ukrainian Cup at Arena Lviv - Kendzerek stated that the cup elimination does not lower the team's ambitions for the UPL gold in their anniversary season - Dynamo's next match is the UPL Round 11 fixture against Kryvbas - Kendzerek did not have a long-term agreement with the club president at the time of the interview Dynamo Kyiv's acting head coach Maciej Kendzerek commented on the team's 0-3 defeat against Shakhtar Donetsk in the Ukrainian Cup match. The encounter took place at the Arena Lviv stadium, and Sport RBC.UA journalist Kateryna Ursatiy relayed the Polish specialist's words during a media tour organized by FC Dynamo with the support of title sponsor GGBET. Despite the painful defeat in the cup tie, Kendzerek emphasized that the elimination does not alter the team's tournament goals for the current season. ### Anniversary Season and Fighting Only for Gold The Polish manager focused on the fact that this year is an anniversary one for Dynamo, placing a special responsibility on the team. 'We all clearly understand where we are right now. This is an anniversary year for the club. Dynamo is a team that fights exclusively for top spots and trophies. Second place is already the first loser. Therefore, we will fight for victory,' Kendzerek stated, rejecting any notion of lowered ambitions after the cup defeat. ### Readiness for the Match Against Kryvbas In the previous round of the Ukrainian championship under Kendzerek's guidance, Dynamo secured a 3-1 victory over Kudrivka, which, according to the coach, served as an important emotional boost ahead of the cup game. Now the team shifts focus to the UPL Round 11 match against Kryvbas. 'We don't have much time to think about which match is more important. I try to move from game to game, and the most important match is the next one against Kryvbas. After today's game, there is much to reflect upon. Now we will prepare for the next match,' the specialist noted, highlighting the 'game by game' philosophy. ### Prospects of Continuing Work at the Club Answering a question about long-term plans, Kendzerek was strictly honest: at the time of the media tour, he had no agreements with the club president regarding permanent cooperation. At the same time, he expressed personal interest in continuing his work. 'Today I have no agreements with the club president. But this job excites me a great deal, so my coaching staff and I will do everything in our power to continue it. Undoubtedly, to achieve this, we need to win matches. That is exactly what we are focused on right now,' the acting head coach summarized. ### Context: Media Tour and Press Interaction Format The interview with Kendzerek took place as part of a club-organized media tour, demonstrating Dynamo's attempt to establish an open dialogue with journalists during a challenging period for the team. The format of the event, held with the support of betting operator GGBET, allowed journalists to get direct answers to key questions: from tournament ambitions to personnel decisions within the coaching staff. For the Polish specialist, who took over the team on an acting basis, such meetings become a crucial tool in building trust both within the squad and among the fans. ## Fact-Check & Sources - [Кендзерек оценил шансы на золото и ответил, останется ли в "Динамо"](https://sport.rbc.ua/ukr/football/kendzorek-otsiniv-shansi-zoloto-ta-vidpoviv-1793135124.html) - Direct quotes from the coach, match score 0-3, previous round result 3-1, Arena Lviv stadium, information about the media tour and sponsor GGBET. ## FAQ ### What was the score in the Dynamo vs Shakhtar match? Shakhtar won 3-0 in the Ukrainian Cup match held at the Arena Lviv stadium. ### Will Kendzerek remain the permanent head coach of Dynamo? According to Kendzerek himself, at the time of the interview, he had no agreements with the club president regarding long-term cooperation. He expressed a desire to continue his work, but emphasized that winning matches is necessary to achieve this. ### Who will Dynamo play next? Dynamo's next opponent will be Kryvbas in the 11th round of the Ukrainian championship.