Igor Tsyganyk: “The Ukrainian national team lacks a creative midfielder in the center. I don't believe in victory over Armenia"

Well-known Ukrainian TV presenter Igor Tsyganik shared his prediction for the League of Nations match between the national teams of Armenia and Ukraine, which will be held today in Yerevan.

“It’s already scary to give predictions for the matches of the Ukrainian national team. Wednesday, against Scotland (0:3), was the worst game I've seen in years. To be honest, I didn’t really understand what happened in Glasgow and what it was connected with. I don't have a logical explanation.

It remains only to guess why Krivtsov, who plays well with his head in the center of defense, did not play against the Scots. How did we plan to create chances and score goals?

Usually, the second match in the cycle for the Ukrainian national team is worse than the first. It is very rare when it is the other way around. Especially after a hard flight. In addition, the Armenians did not play until Saturday, but systematically prepared for this fight. The opponent does not intend to be demoted to Division C of the League of Nations.

In terms of composition, I think that Lunin will be entrusted with a place at the gate, because Trubin went to the youth team. Zabarny and Matvienko will act in the center of defense, Mikolenko and Karavaev will act on the flanks. The center of the field will not change, perhaps Tsygankov will play from the first minutes, and Yaremchuk will be at the forefront. At the moment, the team lacks a creative midfielder in the center (Recall that the head coach of the Ukrainian national team Oleksandr Petrakov systematically ignores one of the best Ukrainian footballers of this role — Dynamo Kyiv midfielder Vitaliy Buyalsky — ed. note).

Petrakov has no choice, he needs to put on experienced performers whom the Italians taught to play football. After the match with Scotland, the coach said that other players played because the leaders were left on the bench. I have a question: what leaders were on the bench? I didn't understand very well.

I admit that it will be very difficult with Armenia. I expect a tense duel. I hope for the individual qualities of our players, but I do not believe in victory. I will bet that both teams will score, and the meeting will end in a draw," said Tsyganik.