Famous Ukrainian coach Oleh Fedorchuk has commented on the absence of Ukrainian national youth team players in the symbolic team of Euro 2023 (U-21). We shall remind you that the Ukrainian youth team reached the semi-finals of this tournament.
Oleg Fedorchuk- UEFA did not put any player from the Ukrainian youth team in the symbolic team of Euro-2023. Is it fair?
- Not really. Moreover, even in relation not only to our players - there are not bad French players. Not only the finalists of the tournament played well. A number of players in other teams were bright, but the organisers of Euro-2023 considered that there were very few worthy ones.
So it's all conditional, it's more on emotions than statistics. Because recently we have a discussion on all forums whether to trust only statistical data and computer, or impressions of the game. But take the last World Cup, Messi was not the leader in statistics there either. But, nevertheless, emotions take over, because football is still a more emotional and subjective sport. We do many things on emotions.
I would add from myself, journalists, commentators covered the first games of the national team in such pathos tones that it seemed to me that we almost won the World Cup. Therefore, it is more emotional.
- Who of the Ukrainians is worthy to get into the symbolic team?
- In my opinion, the number one in terms of stability is Sudakov. The second in terms of stability and quality of play is Trubin. Well, except for the last game, where we saw fatigue, there was a general fatigue. In the national teams often practiced goalkeeper rotation. There were two and three goalkeepers played in some national teams during the championship. We had only one meeting played another goalkeeper.
Well, and to some extent Bondarenko, but less, let's say, as well as Kashchuk. They played in bursts. Kaschuk was just tired physically and mentally at the finish. Bondarenko, on the other hand, was a key figure, but he didn't always hit the tone of the game. Therefore, if to be fair to the end, then probably Sudakov. Firstly, he scored the most. Secondly, it's not his function, and he gave a lot of sharp passes. But he is definitely the best in our national team.
- Which of the players from Ruslan Rotan's team became a discovery for you in a good way?
- I was a big pessimist about the defensive line. I think that Sych unexpectedly played a decent game. Kaschuk has risen in the eyes of specialists. And the pair of defenders Taloverov and Batagov looked good. I had my doubts about them, but they were dispelled right from the first game.
- Who played below their capabilities, disappointed?
- Vanat was disappointing in attack. It all mattered at the finish. Because someone played more than they should. Viunnik got injured and was left with one forward for a key game. The attacking group, that is, the forwards disappointed.
And here is another point. The coaching staff probably caught a little bit of "asterisk". Because everything was very easy somehow unexpectedly. Diametrically opposite to Petrakov. If you compare the two performances of Petrakov's team and this team, everything was exactly the opposite. The first games were quite bad and they scattered in the end. Here - they started well, but finished worse.
Why did I say that we will not win? Two main reasons: we fulfilled our goal of qualifying for the Olympics and it was some kind of euphoria. And the second one is that we have one day less rest.
Evgeniy Chepur
