Serhiy Rebrov, the head coach of the Ukraine national football team, summed up today's match in the Euro 2024 qualifying round against Malta (1-0), which was held in Trnava.
Serhiy Rebrov. Photo - uaf.ua- What didn't work in the first half for your team?
- It is very difficult to play against an opponent who defends so compactly. In the first half we had a lot of difficulties, but after the break, despite the large amount of energy expended, we created chances, scored and should have scored more.
I am grateful to the boys that in such a short period that we have worked together they already understand the game we are trying to put on the team. I think that in those circumstances we have shown the maximum over the past 10 days.
- What was Matvienko's replacement by Mikolenko at half-time?
- It is the same thing I was talking about after the match against Northern Macedonia. Footballers sometimes do not come into the game, and this is normal. I am sure Mykola understands his substitution. You saw Vitaliy come on, he stepped up our attack, and at the very moment when the opposing team were already tired. The substitutions we make are not always tactical, sometimes some players just do not come on, which, again, is normal.
- Have you decided to save Mudryk for the youth team? Probably, you had a meeting with Ruslan Rotan, youth team manager?
- No, we haven't talked to him - I am sure he has a very busy schedule preparing the team for the UEFA EURO.
Yesterday Mykhailo Mudryk had a problem with his calf muscle. Today he tried to work on the warm-up and at first it seemed to be OK, but then he said that he still felt pain. His participation in the youth Euros is highly questionable. But if he recovers, he will definitely help our youth team.
- What have you managed to bring into the game of the Ukraine national team in this short period of time?
- As I said, there was not enough time, but you can see that the guys are very focused on the game. After the match against Northern Macedonia all the players were unhappy in the first half, but we are moving forward. We need more time. In September we will have more time to prepare more thoroughly for the matches against England and Italy.
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