Today, Ukraine's youth national team will start the final part of the European Championship with a match against Croatia. Team1 spoke to coach and renowned football expert Oleh Fedorchuk about the prospects of Ruslan Rotan's team in this match and in the tournament in general.
Oleg Fedorchuk- Oleg Viktorovich, first of all, what do you expect from our youth team at the Euros?
- I have conflicting feelings. History shows that if a coach puts it as a basis to play for the first team, let's say, to play not rational football, but the one that the first team requires, then the result does not always work out. If the national team coach is on his own, then sometimes there are pleasant surprises. The most recent example is the performance of the Ukrainian U-20 national team at the 2019 World Cup, when Oleksandr Petrakov's team won the competition using tactics that no one in Ukraine has ever preached. Everything was subject to the result.
I have not heard from Serhiy Rebrov any pressure on other national teams, or that all national teams should follow the same scheme. Maybe something will work out (smiles).
- But if we start from the potential of our players, can the Ukrainian national team make a shot?
- Maybe, but I'm worried about the defensive line. In my opinion, this is our main problem. After analysing it, I can say that the average level of the team is higher than the defensive line. God help me if I'm wrong.
- Is it possible for Ruslan Rotan's team to get out of the group?
- Absolutely. However, the key match for us will be against the hosts, the Romanians. Spain is definitely the clear leader of our quartet. And there is no need to say much about this team. Croatia: If I'm not mistaken, this team is approaching the tournament with personnel problems among its leading players.
Again, if we had a more even line-up, we would be much stronger than the Croats. Nevertheless, we are not inferior to the Balkans in terms of potential.
I'll say more, if we take a quick look, I think this is the second strongest youth national team in Ukraine's history after the one with Taras Stepanenko, Andriy Yarmolenko, Yevhen Konolianka... Pavlo Yakovenko had a great squad back then. Now Ilya Zabarnyi will be sorely missed.
- What is the strength of this team?
- Here again I want to mention Petrakov's team. That team was much weaker, but the coach managed to build a game that required patience and looking for a chance. But I doubt that Ruslan Rotan is psychologically ready to play as a second choice. Nevertheless, if we manage to simplify the game and skilfully run out on the counterattack, then there will be much more chances to reach even the final of the tournament. The main task, if I'm not mistaken, is to get to the Olympics, and for this you need to make it to the semi-finals. I think France or England will be there...
- Can the reinforcement in the person of Anatolii Trubin, Heorhii Sudakov, Mykhailo Mudryk and Vladyslav Vanat strengthen the youth team?
- Yes, it can. But there are nuances here. These guys have not trained with the team, and this is always a discomfort for the coach and the team. Moreover, Mudryk came with an injury. It's hard to say how it will all look. We can only hope for the best. The youth championship is always unpredictable. Motivation comes first here to a greater extent. I am waiting for sensations, including from the Ukrainian national team.
- The first opponent is Croatia. What is your prediction?
- It will be a very difficult game for the Ukrainian national team, but I believe that the Blue and Yellows will win. Score? 2:1.
Serhii DEMIANCHUK
