Renowned Ukrainian coach Serhiy Kovalets told us what he expects from the Euro 2024 qualifying matches Ukraine - England (9 September) and Italy - Ukraine (12 September).
Sergey Kovalets- The UPL is on pause, but the national team of Ukraine is facing two crucial matches against the top teams in Europe - England and Italy. What can you say about the players called up, what are your expectations?
- All the strongest players who are in good shape and have game practice are on Rebrov's list. What about Malinowski's absence? Ruslan has changed clubs and just made his debut for Genoa - he hasn't said the last word yet and is definitely on the radar of the national team coaches.
"We have difficult opponents, but we have everything to play the matches at a good level. The fan will forgive everything but indifference. If the team understands how it should play tactically, if each player knows his task, his manoeuvre on the field, the final result will be positive.
Rebrov's coaching staff already knows the players' capabilities. Serhii Stanislavovych is a coach who knows how to carry out comprehensive work. This includes tactics, psychology, theory, and working out standard positions. Football is unpredictable, but I want to see the team playing, trying, fighting for our country. Emotions and the desire to be strong are important. The result may be different, but if the team plays with their hearts, the fans will definitely appreciate it.
- Which opponent will be more difficult?
- Italy has had a coaching change. Roberto Mancini lost control of the team after his success at the European Championships, but it was he who initiated the generational change that continues. The Azzurri have a lot of young people, and a new coach, Luciano Spalletti, has come in and needs time. This is our chance, I think, at least we can't lose.
- And what about England?
- It will be harder with England.
- How many points can we get in two matches?
- It's hard to predict, given that both teams have a large selection of players. They can field not one, but two or three teams and they will all be competitive. These are real football powers - not in words, but in deeds.
- Not only have our clubs failed to impress in the European arena, but our legionnaires have been disappointing lately. Yaremchuk and Malinowski were forced to change clubs. Trubin and Dovbyk have moved to the top leagues, but they have to go through the adaptation process. Mykolenko and Mudryk hardly play in the Premier League. Zinchenko has just recovered...
-Yes, there are some difficulties. Someone has injuries, someone has lost stability. This is despite the fact that the backbone of the national team has long been made up of legionnaires - Zinchenko, Malinowski, Yarmolenko, Mykolenko, Yaremchuk, Zabarny. Now the coaching staff needs to find resources and new options. There should be even more motivation for players who do not always get into the national team. They have a chance to show their best, prove themselves, and become leaders.
In the history of Ukrainian football, it has already happened that the worse the better. I am confident that the national team will come out of this situation with honour.
- What do you expect from the Spanish football model that Serhii Rebrov is currently trying to build in the structure of the Ukrainian national teams, starting with the youth teams?
- Spanish football is distinguished by its work with the ball, and this element is laid down from the very childhood. I am impressed by this comprehensive approach. This is a progressive direction, and this is how football academies should work. All teams play according to the same scheme. The youth team is about training, personnel, watching players, and the national team is about results.
It is important to use similar exercises and a game model, which will facilitate the transition to the senior national team. When my coaching staff was working in the youth team of Ukraine, we constantly communicated with Mykhailo Fomenko. We discussed what needs to be done to make it easier for players to move to the national team, what exercises to focus on. Karavayev, Zinchenko, Malinowski, Budkivsky, Ordets - they quickly got used to the main team of the country.
Serhii Sytnyk
