Artem Fedetskyi: "Malinowski's absence is the coach's decision"

Former Ukraine defender Artem Fedetskyi commented on Serhii Rebrov's September squad for the upcoming matches against Italy and England.

Artem Fedetsky

- Of course, the absence of Malinowski is striking. But if we take a global view, Ruslan did not have much game practice. Although there are some players who also didn't have many matches... Nevertheless, this is the coach's decision. I think that before Rebrov formed the list, he most likely talked to Malinowski. They probably had a talk. Perhaps Ruslan is not in the kind of playing shape we would like him to be. I think there was a dialogue between the player and the coach. Of course, this is a loss, but there are working points. There are players who, I think, can replace Ruslan.

Zinchenko is also not yet fit. In Arsenal's last match, he came on for a few minutes. But I think he will get fit for the national team matches, there will be no problems with that. Shaparenko - he basically plays all the matches, has recovered from his injury and looks good. I think he is ready to play from the first minutes in the next matches for the national team.

You see, there cannot be players in the Ukrainian national team who cannot be replaced. Perhaps not at this level, but they are national team players to back up or replace a particular player. If it were a club championship, there might be nuances. A good player goes out, and then the coach thinks about who to replace him. But in the national team, no matter who misses a match, there are always people who are ready to replace them. I think there will be no problems with this.

Football is a thing where there is always a workflow. Of course, it's great for a coach when all the players are fit, in good shape, in a good psychological and physical mood. With Italy and England, we need to take points, we have nowhere to retreat. A defeat in any of these matches could put, let's say, our exit from the group in question. I think when the team gets together, has a few training sessions, then a clearer picture will emerge - who will be 100% ready for these matches, and who may be ready for only one of them," Artem told the VZbirna Telegram channel.