Former Ukraine national football team player and current coach Valeriy Kryventsov has spoken out following yesterday's friendly match between Germany and Ukraine in Bremen, which was the first for the Ukrainian national team under the new head coach Serhiy Rebrov.
- This game was very crucial for both sides, " Kriventsov said. - The Germans wanted to win their thousandth match for the national team, while the Ukrainian players wanted to show themselves to their new coach and, of course, to play decently against their top opponent. I think the Ukraine national team must be praised for this game. After a quickly conceded goal, there was a feeling the Blues and Yellows would level the scores.
Serhiy Rebrov wanted to check as many players as possible in this match, to see whether his charges understood the goals and objectives of the national team for the near future. In my opinion, Rebrov managed to convey a lot to his players, because, for example, their commitment was at a very high level. I would give him five points on a five-point system.
- Was the starting line-up of the Ukraine national team for the game against Germany a surprise to you?
- After all, it was the first match under Rebrov. You could put any lineup... Thus, the new coach got acquainted with the players and tried to give playing time to everyone. Yes, of course, the coach names the starting lineup, but then it is up to professionals who take to the field and must demonstrate that they were really ready for this meeting.
- Ukraine team scored three goals and led the score only due to gross mistakes of Germans, or it is also the merit of our players?
- Football always consists of mistakes. The one, who makes fewer of them, wins. That's why our team led 3-1. This is the price of mistakes. Although assessing the goals scored by the Ukrainians, I can mention a good goal by Dovbik and Tsygankov's two goals.
- Whose game did you enjoy most of all in the Blue-Yellows?
- This is the case when I need to say that absolutely the whole team acted useful. It was very noticeable that the guys penetrated into the coach's ideas. Our team realized that order and discipline prevail! The main thing is that the Ukrainian team has the organization of the game. We'll see whether there will be a result or not.
- But at the beginning of the match, for example, Mudryk blundered, and Serhiy Rebrov was very unhappy with such actions...
- In such matches, there is always a different speed, different level of decision-making. Yes, Rebrov admonished Mykhailo for making such mistakes... But in general, Mudrik tried very hard and showed himself well.
- Why didn't the Ukraine national team manage to keep the scoreline 3-1 in their favour?
- Germany improved their game after the break. Germans played at home, and did not forget about the jubilee... Therefore, the pressure on Trubin's goal in the second half increased significantly. Our national team, in turn, responded to the opponents with nothing in this part of the game. True, there was a good opportunity for Vanat, who had to shoot towards the opponent's goal instead of circling...
- Nazariy Rusin, who played really well in the spring part of the season, was left out of the application...
- It was the coach's decision. Nazariy Rusin was really one of the best Zoria players, he scored a lot. I think Rusin is still ahead of the game.
- What conclusion can be drawn after the 3:3 friendly final?
- We are building a new team. Everything will be new. Of course, I would like the Ukraine national team to win. However, it needs time. Can we lose anything significant during this time? The coaching staff, no doubt, does and will do everything to have a result. However, we must remember that it is the players who realise ideas on the pitch. We need the players' maximum attitude to the game, commitment, and, of course, fortune.
- This Ukraine national team must beat Northern Macedonia and Malta?
- Who said it must? Now there are no weak teams. But, following the game of our national team with Germany, I understood that the "blue-yellow" team will fight for the result, for every ball...
- Can we predict who will be in the starting lineup of the Ukraine national football team against Northern Macedonia?
- Serhii Rebrov has 20 players on hand. The coach will make a decision depending on who is fit for the match day. However, in fact, Rebrov has already modelled the team's game against Germany. Yes, the German national team is being rebuilt, but this process, to varying degrees, always happens in every national team.
- What are your hopes for the result in the matches against Macedonia and Malta?
- Our players have shown that they will not be indifferent. We have a quality selection of players - two for each position. Accordingly, we have confidence that each of Rebrov's charges will fight just as they did in the match against Germany.
Oleg Semenchenko