Ex-coach of Dynamo and the national team of Ukraine Jozef Sabo shared his expectations before the Nations League match against Scotland.
Joseph Szabo— What are your expectations for the match with Scotland?
- Consider it a final - everything depends on the match. Let's see what the composition will be, because Oleksandr Petrakov says that there will be changes. Of course, in the match with the Armenians, the lineup was not the main one - some players in their class are not suitable for the national team.
The Scots do not know how to defend, close, so it will be easier for us to play with them if they hope for a draw. They don't know how to stand ten in the penalty area and fight back. The opponent will attack, there will be a lot of fighting and passes behind the defenders. The confrontation with the Scots will be interesting. In addition, they are left without a leader and a few more core players may not play.
— Did the previous game with the Armenians add optimism?
— I saw the Armenian national team for the first time and it seemed to me that this is a very weak team - these stops of the ball, how the players move around the field... It seemed that they were second-rate football players. Moreover, we saw our lineup. It is clear that he will not play against the Scots. After the match with the Armenians, you can't be complacent, because a tough game with the Scots awaits.
— Is it possible to choose a favorite before the match?
— There will be an equal game. The Scots will attack and we will have a lot of free space where we can counter-attack. Shall we attack. In any case, the game will be interesting. Ours adjust, they need to take risks and move forward. The opponent's defense is not that good - they make mistakes too. It is necessary to score, and then to rebuild the tactics.
— How to solve the problem with the game on the second floor, which appeared in the first match against the Scots?
— It is necessary to play very carefully. Probably, Petrakov understood how to play in such situations. I think that Matvienko and Zabarny will play in the center. Even if you kill yourself, they need to prevent the opponent from breaking through. It is necessary not to give the opponent freedom and the opportunity to break through.
— Will the scheme of the previous game with the Armenians be preserved?
— I don't think this scheme will survive. There will still be four defenders. The question is who will play the defensive midfielder. There must be a quick player who plays well in the tackle and is safe on the counter-attack because the Scots are quick to counter-attack.
— Who will pair up with Stepanenko, in Sydorchuk's absence?
- Hard to tell. There is still no Shaparenko, Zinchenko - two players who build the game. Let's see how Oleksandr Petrakov will get out of this situation.
— Who do you see at the forefront of the attack in the starting line-up?
- I don't understand what happened with Yaremchuk - they released him, but he is nowhere to be found. I don't know what the problem is. In any case, at the pre-match training it will become clear who is in what condition and who will play with the Scots. I hope that Mykolenko will also be able to play and our team will have the best players.
Mykola TIMOSHCHUK
