The results of the football year 2022, which is coming to an end, and which for Ukraine and Ukrainians took place in the conditions of war with the Russian occupiers, in an interview Footboom Volodymyr Sharan, a well-known domestic coach and mentor of "Minayu", beat him.
Volodymyr Sharan— What would you single out as the most important event in the UPL in 2022?
— The fact that we were able to hold the first round of the championship of Ukraine. Doubts, of course, were significant. But, thanks to the Armed Forces, Ukrainian football survived and demonstrated a good level, even in the conditions of war. We are very grateful to our Armed Forces!
As for difficulties, we are Ukrainians, and we are used to quickly adapting to everything, overcoming obstacles. Of course, when matches were interrupted due to air alarms, it was not easy for the teams. However, "Mynai" almost avoided these problems. Only one of our matches - with Metalist 1925, which took place at the Kolos stadium in Kovalivka - had to be interrupted - the anxiety then lasted for 3.5 hours. Other UPL clubs suffered more often due to air alarms.
The main thing is that all scheduled matches took place. Some meetings had to be postponed, but what is important, UPL clubs always found a common language. For Shakhtar, for example, it was very important to prepare for the game with Celtic, and we understood this. During the course of the championship, there were moments, especially after the enemy's strikes on Ukrainian infrastructure, when it seemed that things would get worse. However, UPL proposed to start the matches at 12 o'clock and at 2 o'clock. On the 12th, we had never played before, but it was fine.
What is important is that the UPL clubs were able to demonstrate more or less high-quality football, the composition of the participants was very equal, and the intrigue remained in the tournament.
— Rate the performance of Mynayu.
— I headed the team a month before the end of winter training. About 30 percent of that composition remained. We went to the start of the current championship of Ukraine with the thought - who will we play? However, we were able to unite into one whole, and the management provided the team with everything they needed - salaries were paid on time, there were no domestic problems. "Minai" showed a good result: 14 points is normal for a young team, 11 players of which have not played in the UPL before.
— Who has become the biggest discovery in the current championship of Ukraine?
- This is the leader of the tournament - "Dnipro-1". The Dnipro team, of course, has a good squad, in which such performers as Dovbyk, Pikhalyonok, Nazarenko play an important role, but leadership in the UPL is not easy. "Dnipro-1" was able to defeat the giants - "Dynamo" and "Shakhtar" and in general demonstrated quality football. However, it will be difficult for the Dnipro people to hold their position.
— What does the future hold for the UPL?
— We hope that the worst is behind us. It is difficult to predict anything. I think we should live for today. There is hope that this championship of Ukraine will be completed, and it will be our victory. But even more, we are waiting for the victory of the Armed Forces.
— What is Mynai planning for the winter?
— We want to hold a meeting. It all depends on funding. The main thing is that it doesn't get worse and that other UPL clubs stay afloat. As for the players, the youth will get a big chance. Currently, we all closely follow the teams of the first and second leagues.
— The brightest stars of the UPL — Dovbyk, Mudryk and Tsygankov can go to play abroad. Should they go now?
— The coach does not always want such performers to leave the team. It would be good to finish the case... However, while the boys' game is attracting so much attention, they have a chance to play abroad, in another club. I understand them. This is how they themselves will want it... It is clear that it would be better for the championship of Ukraine if these footballers stayed in "Dnipro-1", "Shakhtar" and "Dynamo".
— In the new year, the national team of Ukraine will also have to solve new problems. Currently, the possibility of Oleksandr Petrakov's resignation and Serhiy Rebrov's arrival at the helm of the team are being actively discussed. How appropriate is that?
— I would like to give Petrakov the opportunity to complete his work before the summer, before the new selection cycle. Rebrov is currently working abroad. And in the summer, before qualifying for Euro-2024, it will be clear what and why.
— Recently, "Alexandria" was headed by Ruslan Rotan, who will combine work at the club with work in the youth national team of Ukraine. Such a combination — right step?
— It's not all that simple... Ruslan has little experience. Much will depend on his assistants. As far as I know, "Alexandria" has the task of winning bronze, and the youth national team has the task of getting a ticket to the Olympics. Serious goals. The coach will have much more work to do, so I am talking about his assistants. But, everything is real - earlier, as we remember, there were already such combinations.
— What are your impressions of the 2022 World Cup?
— This World Cup was dominated by defensive football, although before the start of the tournament many said that attacking football should be expected. I expected more active pressing from the players, more forward play, more ball control. The fans love it. However, there have been matches like Spain v Japan where the Spanish controlled the ball 84 percent of the time, but the Japanese won 2-1.
In principle, the 2022 World Cup was not boring. I predicted the victory of Argentina - even before the start I said that they would win the trophy. The Argentina national team is a team of fighters who found the middle ground, that is, doing everything right - attacking when it was necessary, and then closing.
It so happened that the defeat by Saudi Arabia was very timely for the Argentinians - after it they drew conclusions and continued to gain momentum with each match. Plus the genius of Messi was another trump card for Argentina. Overall, I enjoyed the World Cup. I recorded a few matches on video for myself, and at the "Mynai" meetings we will understand the trends of modern football, there are a lot of interesting nuances.
Oleg Semenchenko
