The former coach of Dynamo Kyiv and the Ukrainian national team Jozsef Szabo assessed the game of the Ukrainian national team against England.
Jozef Szabo- What can we talk about if we are weaker? Who can we blame? In the first half we were not visible at all, and in the second half the English stopped, it is not clear why, so we managed to control the ball more. I don't like this kind of football. I'm a fan of losing 4-0 or 5-0, but playing attack to attack. We have no attack at all. Absolutely - no shots on goal, nothing. This is the weakest game of our national team. You can't play like that. For me, this is not football. Let them criticize me as they want, but I believe that this is not the kind of football that is needed for the national team.
- How would you assess the tactics for the match?
- The coach chose to play on the counterattack, but we have no counterattack. In the first half, the English pressed us and did not allow us to do anything. I don't know what happened in the second half. The opponent just stopped. Probably, they were satisfied with the result. But let's not forget that they played on the third day after a very difficult match with the Italians away. At the same time, they looked great.
- There were two debutants in the starting lineup - was the choice for the game a surprise for you?
- Svatok tried his best, won the air, but there were zero attacks. There were zero chances. If we attacked and lost, it would be different. I did not expect such a game. I criticize when teams in the UPL against Dynamo and Shakhtar "sit down" in defense and fight back. This is not football. I say the same thing now, after the national team match. Our strongest players are in it, but the team looked dull. It's better to concede 5 and score 2. You can see that there is an attack. Our national team, today, does not know what an attack is.
- Can you single out any of the players in the Ukrainian national team?
- Some players were not noticeable at all. On their side of the field, they still played in one or two touches. In the second half, they also played until the middle of the field, and then nothing. Either they didn't know what to do or they were burnt out, but football should be different. Both teams should attack for the audience. As it was, there were no chances, Trubin helped out somewhere, he was lucky somewhere, they shot from close range and hit him.
- Is Zinchenko the best option for the captain at the moment?
- This is the coach's choice. Oleksandr is a smart player, but he is not an attacking player, but a playmaker. He can receive, pass... He is a good player in his team. Stepanenko is the oldest in our team. According to the rules, the captain's armband is given to the senior, but it is the coach's choice.
Our midfield players should also do something to get to the strike line, but this did not happen in the match against England.
- How do you assess Konoplyanka's appearance in stoppage time?
- I was sitting by the TV and I was ashamed that he was released for a minute and a half. You don't need to humiliate a football player like that. It's a shame. He came on, he was out, the game was stopped and the referee blew the whistle. Why was Konoplyanka sent off? Because he criticized the call? He should have been given at least 10 minutes to show what he can do.
Mykola Tymoshchuk
