Defender of English Everton and the national team of Ukraine Vitaliy Mykolenko answered questions from the UAF press service about the preparation of the national team for the Euro 2024 qualifiers against England (9 September) and Italy (12 September).
Vitaly Nikolenko- Vitaliy, this is the third time the national team has gathered in this qualifying cycle. How do you feel about coming to the team?
- Every time I come to the national team, I say: "Only positive emotions". I'm glad to see everyone - both the guys and the coaching staff.
- Now the club season in both England and Ukraine is only gaining momentum. How do you assess your functional condition?
- The beginning of the season was not the best for me. I had a small injury, but now I'm back in action, so I'm here. I feel that I am in good functional readiness. But I don't think about the club now - only about the national team.
- After three matches in the group, we have six points. Two wins against Malta and Northern Macedonia and a defeat against England. Do you think this is a fair result?
- We played like this, and it's probably natural. Now we are almost all here, and our goal is the next match.
- We have met with the English several times recently. So far, we have not been able to play on equal terms with them. Is it our level, or are there other reasons?
- Let's not be disingenuous. The English have a much better selection of players than we do. So the last two matches with them, when I played, did not work out. But I think it should work out one day. The main thing is to prepare properly. We have a chance for revenge against England.
- What can our team do against the English?
- So far, we have not discussed the match with England with the coaching staff. But I think that with such teams, you need to have a proper plan to follow. If we have discipline on the pitch, everything will be fine.
- Both England and Italy are top-class teams...
- We will face two top teams in three days. It will be difficult, but that's why we came here, to fight them.
- England and Italy have different styles of play. Which one can we resist more?
- I can only say that Italian football is more disciplined and tactical, while English football is strong in defence and a little more individual in attack.
- How do your team-mates perceive this match?
- I won't say who, because Jordan will be offended, but my teammates said they would cheer for me. It was the English. And that gives me a lot of confidence.
- You used to work with Serhii Rebrov at Dynamo Kyiv, and now this is your second training camp with the national team. What does he give you that other coaches didn't?
- In general, compared to other specialists, there are more tactics. Also, a lot of attention is paid to discipline on the pitch and playing in positions. I learn something new every day. Every training session is like a challenge. If you do not work well, you may not play tomorrow.
- In the match against Armenia, you scored your first goal for the national team. Maybe you plan to score the second one against England?
- I told Jordan that if I score, I will be very happy.
- Or maybe it's better to play for zero?
- I would choose to score against the English and play to zero.
- We will play our home game in Wroclaw, where there are many Ukrainians. I really want the fans to fill the stands. How important will this factor be in general?
- It is very important. When we played at Wembley, it was very difficult for us psychologically. And now we are playing at our home ground, so I hope that they will cheer for us passionately, and we will thank the fans with a good game. Come to the match in Wroclaw and support us! Glory to Ukraine!
