Ivan Getsko: "Believe me, the worst thing is when there are no scoring forwards"

Former Ukraine forward Ivan Getsko commented on our team's matches with North Macedonia and Malta for КОМАНДА1 .

- Unfortunately, the actions of our players against the North Macedonians and the Maltese are disappointing. And although many say that the result remains, but the game is forgotten, I do not think so. So far, there have been only valid matches.

- But in the first match of the June international window, our team gave a fight in Bremen to the eminent Germans and, having demonstrated good preparation, was closer to victory

- Firstly, it was a friendly match. The impression was that the hosts did not do their best, allowing the guests to use their formidable weapon - a quick transition from defence to attack. When it was the turn of the matches for the Euro 2024 standings, everything immediately fell into place.

Our opponents, first of all, took care of compactness, reliable safety net in their half of the field, and the Ukrainians once again demonstrated their inability to attack positively. And it's good that with the Balkans in Skopje, fortune was clearly on our side, and the Maltese came to Trnava doomed. Although, if they had been braver at the gates of the nominal hosts, they could have counted on a positive result.

- In your opinion, what did our countrymen lack most in these matches?

- I used to play in the attack and it is more convenient for me to evaluate the actions of attacking players first and foremost. And believe me, the worst thing is when there are no scoring forwards. I have a lot of questions for Dovbyk and Vanat, because it seems that they simply do not know what it is like to go out and hit the target. Although this is their direct responsibility.

Secondly, our main team lacks constructiveness, players with the last pass. Thirdly, I am concerned that players with leadership qualities have disappeared. Yarmolenko, Matvienko, Malinowski have left. As for me, only Stepanenko played at his level in the June matches... It's sad.

- Two expected victories over outsiders allowed the Ukrainian national team to gain a foothold in second place in their subgroup. But already in September, Serhiy Rebrov's wards will face the main tests - matches with the favourites, England and Italy...

- It should be noted that in the matches with the North Macedonians and the Maltese, luck was clearly on our side, but luck, as you know, does not last forever. But the level of play demonstrated by our team is not enough to compete with our September opponents. I agree that by that time Zinchenko and Shaparenko will be back in action and this will be a significant help in establishing a combination game, but problematic positions remain. In the centre of defence, in attack... This is very worrying.

- Then, finally, what would you advise Serhii Rebrov to pay attention to in preparation for the September matches?

- On creating goal-scoring chances and their realisation. Our national team has big problems with this so far.

Vasyl Mikhailov