Andriy Firman, a native of Lviv, spent three seasons at the Juventus Academy. In June, 17-year-old Firman made his debut for the Ukrainian national team of his age, and in August, the Ukrainian changed from Juventus to SPAL.
- You changed Juventus to SPAL. What is the reason for such a decision?
- I started pre-season training as part of the Juventus primavera. The youth team of the "Old Lady" has a high level. There are more than 30 players on the team's roster. At the age of 17, it would be hard for me to qualify for a permanent game practice. After the training camp in Switzerland, I immediately approached the director of the youth team. He and I decided how best to develop my career. At my age, you have to play all the time.
Therefore, for better progress, we decided to spend the next season on loan. Five clubs were interested in my services - Roma, Sassuolo, Parma, Genoa and SPAL. I chose a team from Ferrara, which guaranteed me constant playing practice in the championship among 19-year-olds.
— How was the last season at Juventus U-19 for you?
— We had a good team. Unfortunately, in the championship we lost in the quarterfinals to Bologna. They took second place in the regular draw. Two points behind the same "Bologna".
I missed two games last season due to injury. Scored six goals and provided one assist. The team's mentor sometimes played with a scheme without flankers with two forwards. In this case, I went to the position of the second forward or strengthened the game during the match.
- Do you associate the future with Juventus?
- The director of the club said that he had a great desire for me to return to Turin next year. I have a lease only for the season. But SPAL has the right to redeem. Juventus have the right to repurchase. For a fixed amount, he can redeem my contract within a certain time.
If my career develops well in Ferrara, then I'm not averse to staying. I feel the strength to try myself at an adult level. Then let Juventus decide. If next season there are interests from other clubs, then it can be considered. This applies not only to Italy.
— Do you believe that you can get into the first team of Juventus?
“This is a dream for many. It's very hard. According to statistics, very few youth have reached the first team. But there are other clubs if you can't find yourself in Turin.
- Don't you regret that you won't be able to play in the UEFA Youth League?
- Of course, sorry. This is a very prestigious tournament for young people. Maybe I'll play there next year. I am only 17 years old. I set myself the goal of getting into professional football.
- You used to be a pure striker, but last season you started playing as a winger. Is it a coaching decision?
- Yes. Before Juventus, in Cesena, I played as a clean forward. When he moved to Turin, in U-15, he played on the cutting edge. The following year, he played right or left striker. In U-17, they already counted on me as a flank attacker.
- Where do you prefer to play: in the center or on the flank?
- On the flank. I am right handed. I also play well on the left. I like it more on the left because I can hit and pass.
- Which of the modern football players impresses you the most in your position?
- I look up to Cristiano Ronaldo. Because of his efficiency, willpower. He had a talent and used it to the maximum. Neymar also impresses.
- You were at the Juventus school for three years. Does it feel like a big club?
- Yes. Opponents take pictures of locker rooms and pitches during matches because they do not have such infrastructure. The conditions are the best in Italy. Not all adult teams have such conditions. Everything is at a very high level.
“After the start of the war, many Ukrainians ended up in Italy. Have any of the young players been to Juventus?
- Children from Ukraine trained separately in Turin. Not at the base of Juventus. The club gave them uniforms, coaches. There were no Ukrainians in U-16,17,19.
— Did you manage to attend the matches of the main team at Juventus Stadium?
- When the team plays at home, I try not to miss home games. The director and secretary gave tickets for matches. They also choose the category of who should serve the ball among the youth. It depends on schooling, attitude to training. 8 people are selected from each age group.
— Are there many foreigners in the Juve Academy?
- Yes. There are players from France, Austria, the Netherlands, Belgium.
— Is attention paid to tactics?
- Italy has very tactical football. When we played on the weekend, Friday or Thursday was the day for tactics. We were told how to press, take corners, free kicks, how to get out of the pressure. This is very good for a young player and helps to develop.
- How unexpected was the call to the youth team of Ukraine for you?
— I dreamed about it for a long time. Before the war, there was an agreement that I would play for the national team in March. But then the war began, it became clear that nothing would happen. Of course, I was upset, but I understood that now football is not the main thing for Ukraine.
- Did you have any doubts whether to accept the invitation of Ukraine?
— There was never any doubt. I wanted to play only for the Ukrainian national team.
- How was it accepted in the team?
- Good. Made friends with the guys. Now we are texting, keeping in touch.
- What is the phenomenon of Alexei Gusev, who scores so much, playing as a right-back?
— He is a very intelligent player. Always knows where to be.
- Why did the first half of the decisive match against Poland fail during the elite round?
- I still can't explain it. They were self-confident. It was necessary to play more hard, concentrated, attentive.
There was a lack of playing and physical form, which had consequences in the matches against Poland and Italy. If the team had more time to prepare and were in good game tone, then they could fight for victory in the group.
— Did you follow the Euro final?
- Yes. I saw all the matches. Didn't hurt anyone. I watched and analyzed how my peers play at that level.
— What impression did Oleg Kuznetsov make?
- This is the legend of Ukrainian football, the former star of Dynamo. The first time he called me before the war, we met. When he arrived, he greeted me. There were no problems in training.
— Is it true that during the elite round you were an interpreter for Vladislav Nagrudny from AC Milan?
- Yes, I passed on the coach's instructions to him. The breastplate does not communicate in Ukrainian or Russian.
— Do you keep in touch with Vlad in Italy?
- Sometimes we text each other.
- Did you have any problems with the fact that you played number ten in the national team, and not in your native position in attack or on the flank?
- This is the coach's decision. I try to follow the instructions of the mentor. Against Kosovo, I played under the striker. It was my debut game in this position.
- You had three legionnaires: you, Fesyuk, Labrador. How did the players from Ukrainian clubs treat you?
- They asked what conditions we have, training. There was normal communication. We were one team.
— How did you take the news about the start of a full-scale war in Ukraine?
- Being in Italy, it is very difficult to experience the events in Ukraine. I can't find the words. I wish it all ends soon. Everything is fine with my family. My grandparents came to visit us.
Sergei TISHCHENKO