In the second of a Top 100 exclusive new series, world famous fictional Portuguese sports journalist Toni Pinto talks to Dynamo Kyiv manager Chris Baggio.
Chris is a man of passion and determination. He has been through thick and thin with his team, Dynamo Kyiv, but he has never given up on them. This season, he is determined to lead them back to Division Four, and he will stop at nothing to achieve his goal.
But Chris knows that the road ahead will be difficult. His team is young and inexperienced, and they will be facing some of the best teams in the division. However, Chris is confident that his team has what it takes to succeed. They have the talent, the heart, and the chemistry to win.
Chris’s story is a reminder that even when things are tough, we should never give up on our dreams. With hard work and dedication, anything is possible. Everyone can be a hero!
Toni Pinto (TP): What is your name and where are you from?
Chris Baggio (CB): My name is Chris. I’m from a small town in northern Greece, Alexandroupolis.
TP: Hi, thanks for taking the time to chat with me today. Let’s start with a general question: How did you start playing SM?
CB: It was 11/11/2009 when we joined SM with some coworkers that we shared the same love for such games. For many years now I’m the only one left still playing the game! I don’t blame them! It’s a tough work to do.
TP: What is your favourite thing about SM?
CB: Learning about every single player in all over the world. Watching their progress in real football through the game. And of course interacting with people from all over the world sharing thoughts and points of view about our favourite sport.
TP: What are your goals for this season In Top 100?
CB: I hope we can be competitive this season for a promotion run. I was very disappointed last season about our relegation, especially right after a great season that we were leading division 4 for most of the time. We lost promotion to division 3 after a series of bad results in final games. Nothing foretold our bad last season that brought us to division 5. And I feel obligated to fix things and bring the team back to division 4.
TP: Can you tell us a little bit about your team? What is your playing style?
CB: Our team is a mix of great domestic and foreign players. From the first moment I came to Kiev I wanted to strengthen the chemistry of the team bringing back in Ukrainian players that would give everything for the team. This was always my first goal! And still is!
This year we made some great transfers like Dovbyk and Traore forming a very strong attacking trio with our captain Yarmolenko! Our playing style is fast attacking football using 4-3-3 formation with wingers and target man.
TP: Who are some of your key players?
CB: As I said, we brought Adama and Artem to be our key players for this season. And it’s working great till now! Also I believe Mariano is a very important player for us as a game changer.
TP: What are your strengths and weaknesses as a team?
CB: I think our most important strength is chemistry. Also there are specific roles for every player. Everyone has a job to do. If they do it the plan will work and the result should be good. About weaknesses, I would say our low budget doesn’t allow us to make things happen fast enough. We don’t have the assets to find new talents all over the world or to bring top class players.
TP: What is your approach to team and squad management?
CB: I work with a tight group of 15-16 players. I choose the first 11 due to fitness state. The rest of the players take time in cup matches.
TP: How do you prepare for matches?
CB: Analysing the statistics and trying to fix things. I’m trying to help my players perform better. Adama and Dovbyk are performing great at the moment. Wijndal is not. I guess I’m doing something wrong with him.
TP: How do you approach transfers?
CB: I’m trying to get as many domestic players as possible but not in cost of rating or value. I try to fill the rest of the squad with some high rated players and young talents.
TP: What is your favourite formation and why?
CB: 4-3-3 with wingers. I like to play fast and direct and I think this formation is what we need.
TP: How do you adapt your tactics to different opponents?
CB: We just try to make our game. We don’t try to adapt to their game. We try to make them adapt to ours.
TP: What is the most important thing to you when developing a game plan?
CB: Fitness.
TP: Ratings? Experience? Youth?
CB: We need ratings, we get experience, we seek youth!
TP: What is your proudest achievement as a manager?
CB: In game: winning division 4 with Olympique Marseille and building Dynamo Kyiv from ashes.
Out of game: I’ve learned a lot about Ukranian league and players. I knew almost nothing about it before I took over Dynamo.
TP: What is the biggest mistake you’ve made as a manager?
CB: Accepting bids before making the proper research.
TP: What advice would you give to new managers in Top 100?
CB: Don’t be hasty. Take your time to understand how the world is rolling. Don’t believe what you read in the newsfeed.
TP: What do you think of the current state of SM?
CB: At its best!
TP: What are some things you would like to see improved?
CB: I’ve said it before, again and again. We need to spread the wealth. Squad cap should be edited. Either to be lower or to be first team and youth team caps.
TP: What are your hopes and dreams for the future of SM, and Top 100?
CB: To be alive and healthy.
TP: Is there anything else you would like to say to your fellow managers?
It’s just a game… or NOT!!!
Chris Baggio
Toni’s Thoughts
Chris is a man on a mission. He stayed on at Dynamo Kyiv after a disappointing relegation to Division 5, and he is determined to bring the club to new glory.
He has a clear vision for the team. He has strengthened the team’s chemistry by bringing back Ukrainian players, and he has also made some key signings. Chris’s playing style is direct, fast attacking football with wingers and a target man.
He’s a very down-to-earth guy, and he is not afraid to admit when he makes mistakes. He is also a very good listener, and he is always open to new ideas.
But he’s also a man of contradictions. He is passionate about the game, but he also knows that it is just a game. He is ambitious, but he is also realistic. He is a dreamer, but he is also a pragmatist.
I am very impressed with Chris, and I am confident that he will be a success at Dynamo Kyiv. He’s not afraid to take risks.
I believe that Chris has the potential to lead Dynamo Kyiv back to the top of Ukrainian football. He is a very exciting manager, and I can’t wait to see what he can achieve.
Toni Pinto
Top 100 
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