Former Dynamo Kyiv striker Oleg Salenko gave an interview on the entry of the Ukrainian youth team to the finals of Euro 2023 (U-21). Recall that the Ukrainian youth team got a ticket to the European Championship in the playoff round of the qualifying round of the tournament, defeating the youth team of Slovakia (2:3, 3:0).
- The return match with Slovakia in Zhilina was the best for our youth team, the main thing is that the guys were able to convert almost all their scoring chances, which calmed the team, Salenko noted. — In psychological terms, the first goal was very important for the Ukrainian youth team.
— Sikan didn’t score for a long time, but in the home game with the Slovaks he broke through on time...
- He has an interesting style of play, which, in fact, is very important for the team. Sikan prefers action in the center of the penalty area, where he keeps the opponent's defenders on their toes and can always hit the goal. The famous Gerd Müller acted in this style, who often finished off, often in an empty frame, and no one paid attention to the beauty and aesthetics of his blows. More importantly, he killed.
Forwards of this type like Sikan are needed. They are released from working for the team, and vice versa, the team plays for such attackers.
- Before these matches, experts paid attention to the not very clear interaction between the youth and the national team of Ukraine in terms of personnel. Now Alexander Petrakov may step down as head coach of the first team...
- I understand what you mean... Firstly, I think that there is no point in changing Petrakov yet - the selection for Euro 2024 is ahead. As for interaction, the national team did a lot anyway - they gave the main goalkeeper to the youth team, and Trubin's role in the success of the Rotan team was very important.
- Qualification for Euro 2024 will begin in the spring and then the youth team will need to prepare for the final part of Euro 2023. How will the teams divide the players?
- Euro 2023 will take place in the summer, and qualification for Euro 2024 will really take place in the spring. I believe that the preparation of the first and youth teams will not intersect in any way. Nobody will interfere with anyone. Therefore, Trubin will also be at the disposal of Ruslan Rotan and Zabarny.
The youth team of Ukraine will be a priority, because our teams have not played at the Euro for a long time. The very fact of participating in such tournaments is very important. The main thing is that all the guys play for their clubs.
— There is enough time until June 2023. Can completely new performers appear on Rotan's list to participate in the European Championship?
- The current championship of Ukraine, in which many young people take part because of the war, is able to give our football new talents. There are very strong U-19 teams in many clubs, especially in Dynamo and Shakhtar. These guys can and, I hope, will be involved in the game for the first teams.
However, I note that Ruslan Rotan has his own game scheme in the youth team, therefore, if he takes someone additionally, then rather, in the reserve.
- What are the chances of success at Euro 2023 for the youth team of Ukraine?
- We can talk about chances only after we see the direct preparation of the team for the tournament, as we see control matches with its participation. In addition, we will study the opponents - there are many interesting teams.
- The result at the European Youth Championship is important, is it more important to train personnel for the national team?
- As a result, there is always a sense - through it, the preparation of mature performers goes. I would like to note that in many of the youth teams that qualified for Euro 2023, there are players from the first teams, in the same Netherlands, for example. That is, all participants in the tournament will try to win a trophy or take medals and, together with them, tickets to the Olympics. Nothing is impossible for the Ukrainian youth team at Euro 2023.
Oleg Semenchenko
Трубину в августе уже исполнился 21 год.