Serhii Rebrov: "I consider it inappropriate to criticize Andriy Yarmolenko"

The head coach of "Al-Ain" from the UAE Serhiy Rebrov in an interview "TEAM1" commented on the reinforcement of his club in the form of former Dynamo Kyiv midfielder Andriy Yarmolenko.

— Serhii Stanislavovych, how difficult was the transfer of the captain of the Ukrainian national team Andriy Yarmolenko for your club?

— I would say that he became rather unexpected, but I am grateful to our managers for the fact that they managed to convince such a qualified performer. Since I have been working here, Al Ain have not signed a single foreigner over the age of 30. In the opinion of the club, such footballers go to the UAE to finish playing, they lack motivation.

However, I was convinced that Andrii would not have any problems with this. After talking with Yarmolenko, representatives of "Al-Ain" understood everything themselves. This is also an event for Ukrainian football, because the captain of the national team will become our first star player in the local championship. No matter what anyone says, I believe that this is a pretty strong league with qualified legionnaires. Basically, these are Brazilians and Argentines.

— Ukraine reacted differently to the national team captain's move to Asia. Do you have anything to say to those who claim that Andriy Yarmolenko went to Al-Ain for money?

— First of all, I do not think that the national team of Ukraine will lose anything because of this. On the contrary, here, I note once again, the championship is interesting, and the competition in it is no worse than, for example, expected in the UPL. Secondly, I told Andrii when he consulted with me that he, the father of three children, should have his family in the first place. Any football player at the age of 32 should take care of her first.

Further. I don't trust the rumors that Yarmolenko was wooed elsewhere. Yes, there was information in the media, but there were no official comments, and also the words of Andrii himself. Therefore, I consider it inappropriate to criticize the football player's address about the fact that he is not a patriot - he did not want to return to Ukraine. Let everyone help their country and their hometown as Yarmolenko does. I'll be honest, when at the very beginning of the war I opened a fund to help Ukraine, Andriy was the first to transfer money there. I saw that amount, and it was quite substantial.

— The UAE is not very active in supporting our country in these difficult times. Will it be easier for the two of you to remind people about what is happening in Ukraine and tell them the whole truth?

— Of course it is. Andriy Yarmolenko will constantly draw attention to our country with his game. There is quite a large Ukrainian diaspora here, but now you will see even more blue and yellow flags at Al-Ain matches.

— Is it possible to predict that from now on, on the eve of matches of the Ukrainian national team, we will not have to worry about the playing practice of its captain?

— I think so. There is a limit on legionnaires, so clubs choose high-level foreigners who are team leaders. I am sure that Andriy Yarmolenko will become just that in Al-Ain.

— In the last matches of the national team of Ukraine, your new player adequately coped with this role. What, in your opinion, was not enough for the "blue and yellow" to get to the World Cup?

— I believe that the football players and the coaching staff of our team did everything to go to Qatar, but some little thing was missing. A very good match was against Scotland - probably one of the best away matches of the Ukrainian national team in its entire history. We controlled the ball, controlled the game, created many chances.

It was a bit more difficult against Wales, it was an even game. Of course, the penalty that the referee did not give for a foul against Andriy Yarmolenko is mentioned, but all the same disappointment was only because of the result, but not because of the football itself and the performance of the Ukrainians. It is very difficult to assemble a team during the war, the state of the players was too unbalanced. Many did not have game practice, in the second match this could be decisive.

— You said it's difficult to assemble a team at a time like this. Perhaps it is even more difficult in the current situation to organize a domestic championship?

— Yes, of course, it is very difficult. But I believe that UPL should be launched - and it should be done in Ukraine. I think that the leaders of Ukrainian football are working diligently to organize everything clearly, not forgetting that the safety of the match participants will come first.

— Experts are already ready to present gold medals to Dynamo football players. Are they right?

— I do not agree with them. I see that Shakhtar is returning many of its Ukrainian players, who will be very motivated - especially under the leadership of a new coach. Yes, "Dynamo" made a bet on Ukrainians several years ago, but in the current situation it is difficult to make any predictions.

Evgeny HRES