On the eve of the Euro 2024 qualifying match between Ukraine and Malta, which will take place this Monday in Trnava, the head coach of the Ukrainian national team Serhii Rebrov gave a press conference.
Sergey Rebrov- Your players say they have got used to your vision of football. Haveyou already adapted in the national team?
- It is very important that the players adapt. We should not be in a comfort zone. We must respect each other and work hard. But five or six days is not enough. We try to do everything quickly, but it doesn't always work out.
- Can weexpect an in-depth line-up rotation in tomorrow's match?
- Yes, we can.
- In which positions can we expect changes in the line-up? Perhaps tomorrow the players who are called up to the youth team will not play?
- Tomorrow, those who are currently ready to play will play. I don't divide my wards into players of the youth or national team. Perhaps tomorrow you will see a different line-up. But we have to rotate, as we are playing the third match. It will definitely happen.
-What can we expect from the Maltese team, given the defeat of the Ukrainian national team in the last match against this opponent?
- I am sure it will be a tough match. The Maltese also played two days ago. They have enough qualified players. They will prepare very seriously. First of all, we have to think about our game, I told my players about it. Yes, we must respect the opponent, but we must also rely on our game. That's why I expect a different game from the first half in Skopje.
- Do you feel that Mudryk is becoming the leader of the Ukrainian national team today?
- I don't like to single out anyone at all, because in the last match there was no team in the first half, but in the second half there was. Thanks to the team play, we snatched the victory. I believe that now we don't need to look for a leader, but rather work, because tomorrow the result will be very important. I expect the team that was on the pitch in the second half against the Macedonians to be on the field.
-How did you receive the welcome in Slovakia? Have you already discussed in which European cities the Ukrainian national team will play its autumn home games?
- Yes, we discussed it. But these are just talks, there is still time. We have almost decided on the first meetings, and we are talking about the next ones. How were we greeted in Slovakia? I don't think the guys went out much, because we've only had two days, we need to recover. Moreover, tomorrow we play at six local time. It is very hot. Tomorrow we need all the strength we have.
-What was Mykhailo Mudryk's psychological state when he joined the Ukrainian national team, given his not-so-good start at Chelsea? What actions did you take to help the player?
- I talk to all the players. I believe he is helping Chelsea, and it is the head coach's prerogative to give him the amount of playing time he needs. But I see that he is very focused, responsible for training and games. Everyone makes mistakes... If you look at the match with the Macedonians, everyone made mistakes. We have to help the players, especially the U-21 players who have no experience at this level.
I don't like to single out any of the players. It is clear that the Chelsea player gets more attention than the others. But tomorrow we must be together and not single out anyone who plays in a big club. I believe that Dynamo and Shakhtar are also big clubs.
- Events such as the Kakhovka hydroelectric power station explosion have shaken not only Ukraine but the whole world. The national team's matches are a breath of fresh air for the people affected. What words of support can you say to them?
- All the players of the national team should bring emotions to these people through their work on the field. Our people lack emotions now. We are constantly watching the news, donating to the Armed Forces and helping. A very important role for the players is to give emotions to our people. Tomorrow's game should be a kind of 'trigger' to show that Ukraine is here, fighting, playing football. We understand that we will win very soon and return to normal life. We are all helping the Ukrainian Armed Forces, but now the players have to help people and the military with their dedication and spirit on the pitch.
