Serhiy Kovalets: "Now the national team of Ukraine has the opportunity to really fight for Euro 2024"

Renowned Ukrainian coach Serhiy Kovalets shared his first impressions of Serhiy Rebrov's work as head of the Ukrainian national team.

- First of all, I would like to thank our main team, the Armed Forces of Ukraine, for their courage and heroism. Thanks to the armed forces, we were able to hold the Ukrainian championship. Now, in the international arena, as part of the national team, the UPL players have proved that they are as ready as our leading legionnaires. "If there was no practice, it would have been much harder to achieve a winning result," says Serhiy Ivanovych , "We are demonstrating to the world that, despite the war, we continue to be competitive in the sports field. The whole world sees that we are alive, continue to fight and play football with dignity.

- What are your first impressions of Serhii Rebrov's national team?

- It's very important that the national team has finally got a long-term head coach. It is also important that Serhii Stanislavovych came to the team with like-minded people, specialists whom he trusts and on whom he can rely. The players note the high professionalism of the coaching staff: everyone is united by the same goal, and this is a good foundation for achieving ambitious goals. When everyone is in their places and everything is done correctly in terms of organisation and behaviour, not only of the coaching staff but also of the management, this is the key to a good result.

- Why did the Blue and Yellows have a difficult start to the game in all three matches under Rebrov's leadership?

- Perhaps it was the psychological pressure and responsibility for the result. Germany is the world's leading national team, and the stadium was packed to the brim with support. Despite the friendly status of the match, the game turned out to be interesting and productive. I think it is a great honour that the Germans invited the Ukrainian national team to play the historic thousandth anniversary match.

In the matches against North Macedonia and Malta, the result achieved by the national team was in the foreground. Two consecutive victories in the qualifiers make it possible to really fight for the Euros. The national team showed character and deservedly won. At the same time, I would like to wish that in the future the national team will demonstrate effective football from the first minutes.

- Who can you single out individually in Rebrov's team?

- Both during the time of Andriy Shevchenko's work and under the coaching of Oleksandr Petrakov, the national team had enough individually strong performers. It is important that all the players of the national team work towards a common goal. After all, as Valery Lobanovsky said, there are no trifles.

Over the course of three matches, Serhii Stanislavovych involved almost all the players he had invited to the first training camp. It seems to me that the new coaching staff manages to build a good atmosphere. Therefore, I would notice the team, not the individuals. Although, of course, it is noticeable that Viktor Tsygankov seems to have got a second wind in the Spanish Girona and now he has carried this courage to the national team matches.

- There were many fears that the absence of the injured Oleksandr Zinchenko would be felt. Can we now say that Rebrov has managed to find a replacement for the Arsenal midfielder?

- There is a result, that's the main thing. But it seems to me that with Zinchenko in the squad, the points would have been a little easier for Ukraine. Sashko is a team player - he controls the ball and makes good sharp passes. But a strong team is different because when some players drop out, it keeps the ball rolling and achieves results.

- The captain of the national team, Andriy Yarmolenko, was left without a club. There are rumours that he is being wooed by Dynamo...

- It's great that Andriy is a member of the Ukrainian national team. He is an experienced player who is a leader not only on the football pitch but also in the dressing room. He is an assistant to the head coach. With his playing and life experience, Yarmolenko can help other players to open up. I am confident that he will bring a lot of benefits to the national team in the future, as well as to the club where he decides to continue his career.

- During the matches in the national team, it seemed that Mykhailo Mudryk, who, after joining Chelsea, came under an avalanche of criticism from the English media, "came to life". Do you agree with this?

- I would like to support Mikhail. In my opinion, he needed time to adapt to the new team. Even when MU acquired the experienced Casemiro, the Brazilian was still introduced to the squad gradually, because the intensity of the game in the Premier League is higher than in the Primera Division. Mudryk was immediately thrown into the thick of it. The coach needed a result, but because of this approach, none of the winter newcomers actually played. I believe that with the new coach, Mudryk will be able to find himself at Chelsea and demonstrate his best qualities.

- The next qualifying matches of the national team of Ukraine will be held against the group favourites. In September, the Blue and Yellows will play against England and Italy. What are our chances of putting up a fight against the favourites?

- It is very important that we beat Northern Macedonia and Malta and got six points. Yes, these teams are not favourites for the selection, but they are quite stubborn. In addition, I believe that psychologically it was harder for our guys, but they coped.

It's always easier to prepare for the next confrontation on the positive side. Now Serhii Rebrov's coaching staff will have time to talk to the players, analyse everything, and carry out preparatory work. I believe the national team will be well prepared and will be able to compete with the top teams on the continent.

Serhiy Sytnyk