The head coach of the youth national team of Ukraine Ruslan Rotan spoke at a press conference on the eve of the opening match of Euro 2023 (U-21) against Croatia, which will take place on 21 June in Bucharest.
Ruslan Rotan- Ruslan Petrovych, what is the mood of the team? What are your expectations for tomorrow's game?
- First of all, these are the feelings of excitement and joy in the soul. For the sake of such tournaments, you need to live life, play football and, most importantly, enjoy it. Tomorrow's game will be exciting for everyone who starts at the Euros. We have come a long way to get here and prove ourselves as a team that will give everything for the victory and demonstrate all our skills.
- Four national team players have come to the youth team. How difficult is it for you now to pass on your own concept of the game to them? What is their physical condition? In particular, Sudakov played three matches for 90 minutes...
- There is no need for them to adjust, because the guys have been with us for a long time, they understand our requirements perfectly. You said it right, they are exhausted and empty now. After three matches for the national team, it is so. Given that two players came injured, this is really a problem for us. But we have a team, and I hope that we will replace these guys with dignity.
- Serhii Rebrov spoke about Mykhailo Mudryk's injury. Can you tell us more about what is known now?
- We have some problems with his health. There is a bit of an overload, the injury is to the muscles. Now our doctors, together with physiotherapists, are working on getting him back on his feet. God willing, he will appear on the pitch in the next matches.
- Who else is injured, since you mentioned two players?
- Vladyslav Vanat has some problems related to overload. These are two players who are now in doubt. Mykola Mykhailenko has another serious injury that will prevent him from playing in the tournament. We want to support him from our side. Tomorrow we have to fight for Mykola, because he is a very important player for us both in the team and on the pitch.
- You have called up Volodymyr Saliuk, who is a defender. Who should replace Mykhailenko on the pitch?
- First of all, we will make a rotation. We have guys who can cover several positions at once. We called up a defender because we believe that we need another defensive player for this tournament. As for Mykola's position, there are players who will move from another position.
- Anatolii Trubin joined the youth team and played all three matches of the national team. Does his experience guarantee him a place in the starting line-up?
- As for Anatolii, we will have a conversation with him. If his motivation and recovery are successful, he has a chance to play in tomorrow's match.
- How much do you know about the Croatian youth national team, which hasn't played a single match with its new head coach yet?
- It's for sure that the Croatian national team will surprise us. Indeed, the change of coach is a problem. After it, this team has not played a single match where we could look at their tactics. But we looked at the work of the new coach in his previous teams where he worked. Whoever is in charge, the Croatian national team is a strong team with individually strong players. I am sure we will have a tough match. We need to be calm and mentally prepared. I believe our team is ready. Tomorrow's match will show who prepared how.
- It is quite possible that while you are preparing for this match, relatives or friends of some players are serving in the Armed Forces of Ukraine. How difficult was it to prepare for the game under these circumstances?
- A bloody war has been going on in our country for over a year now. These are difficult times for Ukraine. Brothers and parents of our team players are at war. First and foremost, we play for our soldiers, we want to make them feel good. We will make every effort to make this positive happen.
- Croatia does not look like a team full of superstars. Whom does the Ukrainian national team fear the most in the opponent's line-up?
- The Croats have players who claim to be superstars. Now they have Beljo, who has returned from the Croatian national team, a key player. There's Šimić, a striker who is very assertive and quite goal-scoring. There is a middle line with Baturina, who is probably their key player. Goalkeeper Kotarsky is confident in his position. This team has enough leaders, players who can lead. The Croats have enough players who can claim star status.
- Have you spoken to any of the Croatian players you know, such as Dario Srna or Igor Jovicevic, about what to expect from the Croatian national team?
- Indeed, you could ask them. But I'm not sure that Igor or Dario would have told you everything as it is. I think it's wrong to ask such questions to people who will be rooting for both Ukraine and Croatia. Croatia is their country, it's where they were born. So such questions can only be asked with humour.
