Ukraine midfielder Ruslan Malinowski took part in a press conference ahead of the Euro 2024 qualifying match with Malta together with the head coach of the Ukrainian national team Serhii Rebrov in Trnava today.
Ruslan Malinowski- What, in your opinion, are the opponent's greatest strengths? Who could you single out from their team?
- It will be difficult to single out anyone from their squad because their strong point is team play. This team will fight tomorrow and try to get a result in this game. We will be preparing, remembering the previous unsuccessful game with this opponent, so we will try to rehabilitate.
- In the second half of the match with Northern Macedonia, there was a moment with a free kick taken by Viktor Tsygankov, although it was your traditional position...
- We talked to him. Viktor felt confident at that moment and asked to take the shot. I said that I would hit the far post, and he wanted to try to throw it over the wall. He made a great shot, missing by 10 centimetres. Everything was perfect in terms of height, so if the ball had hit the plane, it would have been a goal. Perhaps it was after this penalty that he got angry and scored the winning goal.
- You are already an experienced player in the national team. How do you support young players?
- When I was their age, everything was different. But after playing in Belgium and Italy, I can say that the best help for young people is your own example - your work, your attitude. Then they will be drawn to you. Andriy Yarmolenko was an example for me in terms of work and attitude. And now he is an example in terms of his love for football.
- Events such as the explosion of the Kakhovka hydroelectric power station 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?
- Of course, we have seen it all. As Sergey Stanislavovich said, we must give our best on the football field. I said this back when the invasion began. We are now doubly motivated, we have to give something to people because we are in comfortable conditions. We understand how hard it is for everyone now. But hard times make strong people. This will only make Ukraine stronger. It only unites us. Whenever a situation arises, we, the players and athletes, do our part to help. I believe that when this is all over, we, as a national team, should organise something for the people who have suffered greatly. I really want to do this, it will be very important for me.
