The head coach of the youth national team of Ukraine Ruslan Rotan spoke at a press conference on the eve of the Euro 2023 U-21 match against Romania, which will take place on 24 June in Bucharest.
Ruslan Rotan. Photo by O. Vasylieva- Are there any personnel problems in the team?
- Yes, Mudryk and Vanat are currently having problems, they are recovering. Their participation in the game is in doubt, but everything is possible. In the evening we will consult with doctors and physiotherapists and make a decision.
- If you recall thematch against Croatia, we praised the team a lot after the game. But at the end of the match, we allowed the opponents to create chances. Can we say that at some point we lost control of the game? Is this a problem? Are there any opportunities to improve our game?
- The coach always has the opportunity to improve the game. I wouldn't want to go back too much. Let's say the game was in our hands, we took the lead, we looked very good in the first half hour. And when the result was in our favour, the psychology went wrong. The opposing team gains, takes more risks, and we pull back somewhere. This is a normal process. We have already discussed certain points and drawn conclusions. But this is football, where there is a skill of one and the other team. There are no mistakes. You need to correct them and look to the future, prepare for the next game, which is what we are doing now.
- Are you going to change anything in your team's performance in the match against Romania?
- First of all, we want to improve our game, we do everything to improve from match to match, to give our best, to work hard. There is also the concept of character, which plays a significant role. Weather conditions, it will be difficult for the players physically at this temperature - we also need to prepare for this. Tonight there will be a training session, we will assess the condition of each player. If there are changes, you will see everything tomorrow.
- Is there any specific physical preparation for the game in such weather conditions? Tomorrow it's supposed to be 36 degrees, and at the start of the match it will be 32...
- We have already adjusted to such weather conditions during the first match. The most important thing is water, to replenish your balance. Indeed, we must be prepared for the heat. The main medicine in such a situation is mood and character. We need to prepare ourselves for the fact that it will be difficult. There are weather conditions, there is a strong opponent playing at home, for whom the stands will be rooting. So we have to be aware of all this in general.
- The Romanian press reported that the players who played for the Ukrainian national team against Malta could not play against Croatia because 48 hours had to pass between the matches. Have you spoken to anyone about this situation?
- Indeed, we sent letters to the clubs and UEFA, where we were told that we should talk to the clubs about these issues. So we notified the clubs, talked to our doctors, the guys, analysed everything, and did what we thought was right. I believe that the boys deserve this tournament. If they are ready psychologically and morally, if they want it, this is the main answer. All of them really wanted to play. Mudryk and Vanat also wanted to play, but their health condition did not allow them to take the field. Yes, we sent the relevant documents to the clubs and asked UEFA.
- Do you have any concerns about the absence of the VAR system and the goal fixation system at the tournament? For example, in the match between Italy and France, the referees did not count a goal...
- This system is now being rolled out across all leagues and tournaments. Apparently, the time has not yet come for the European Youth Championship. I am calm about it - it is as it is. Our requirements are to show the game, give one hundred per cent, demonstrate professional football, attitude towards fans and opponents, and play fairly. And such moments may be the referee's mistakes. Perhaps, under VAR, all this would be taken into account. But I think that VAR will soon appear at such tournaments.
- In several qualifying matches, you played with a situational "diamond" in the centre of the pitch, with Sudakov on the left. Does this formation help to create better chances when the opponent plays as the second number? Are there any differences between what we saw in the match against Croatia? In such a situation, does the formation matter, or are the individual functions of the players more important?
- We don't practice the diamond formation, we have different tactical schemes and requirements for the players, including Sudakov. Yes, he can play in different positions. We know his best qualities and how he interacts with his partners. Sometimes we have him on the halfway line.
Tomorrow will be, first of all, a different game than the one against Croatia. You can't think and analyse that the match will be similar. The Romanian national team played Spain. We have to objectively single out the Spanish national team, which plays good football, has been playing in almost the same structure for many years, and has very strong performers. Croatia, Ukraine, Romania are all at about the same level. Our game with the Croats was almost equal. Tomorrow, too, there will be no situation where someone will have a complete territorial advantage and dominate. It will be a very difficult match, plus the weather conditions. The two teams will fight for the result they both need.
