Former Dynamo Kyiv and Ukraine national team goalkeeper Ilya Bliznyuk shared his impressions of the Euro-2024 qualifying match Ukraine vs England (1:1) held yesterday in Wroclaw, Poland.
- It was expected that our team in the match with England would act in the second number. From the first to the 26th minute, that is, until the goal to the visitors, the Ukrainian national team was patient. It is not easy for the whole team to play behind the ball. Obviously, Serhiy Rebrov's wards were waiting for a successful attack, a quick and effective counterattack. After we took the lead, the tension was a little bit lower, the guys began to act more inspired. It is unfortunate that the Ukraine national team conceded before the break.
- What led to the goal to Buschan?
- Our team missed Kane's pass. You can not blame Mikolenko alone in this episode, because of whose back Walker jumped out. The missed goal is a chain of mistakes from offence to defence. First of all, our attacking players did not put the necessary pressure on Kane.
But I want to note that in the first half the Ukraine national team fulfilled the task. At halftime, Serhiy Rebrov made the necessary adjustments, and the Blue-Yellows had their chances and half chances in the second half. The main thing is that the tactics for the whole match were chosen correctly.
- At the beginning of the second half Matvienko was replaced by Krivtsov. Why did the coach resort to such a step?
- Only Rebrov knows for sure (after the game Serhiy Rebrov explained that Matviyenko was injured - author's note). Probably, Matvienko was injured, because centre-backs are not often changed, and even after the break. As for Krivtsov, he, as an experienced player, did not spoil the porridge.
- What do you think about the successful attack of the Ukrainian national team? Who is the main hero in this episode?
- Zinchenko's goal is the result of the work of the whole team. We were patient and straightened up like a spring. There is no one in the Ukraine national team even to single out - at least in a positive sense, or in a negative one. The hero of the match with England - the whole team, players and coaching staff headed by Rebrov.
- Our "Englishmen" played against the English - four players who play in the APL appeared in the starting line-up of the Ukrainian national team. Which of them acted most brightly?
- Zinchenko played the best against his colleagues from APL, who also scored a goal. But in general, there was no division in our team into "English" and others. The opponent was higher in class than us, but we had a team on the field - with a capital letter.
- Special attention, as always, was paid to Mudryk. How successful was this game for the Chelsea player?
- Mikhail is always under pressure - both in football and in life. However, when Mudryk comes to the national team, Sergei Rebrov talks to him. I am sure that the coach asks both Mudryk and other guys to forget about club affairs for a while and concentrate on the national team, on the selection of Euro-2024. Mikhail managed to do it.
- Who impressed you the most with their play in the England national team?
- The English were forced to play the way the Ukrainians allowed them to play. All the zones were blocked. Southgate's charges did not know how to overcome the defence of the Blue-Yellows. England was not ready for such football. Almost none of the Englishmen managed to show their personal qualities. With one exception, when the goal against Buschan happened. So I still want to single out Kane and his great pass to Walker. But in general, our defence was shut down by Kane.
- Before the start of this match, experts were guessing who would come on in attack - Yaremchuk or Dovbik. Assess Rebrov's choice in favour of Yaremchuk in the starting line-up.
- The Ukraine national team had to play a lot without the ball, especially in the first half. That is why we needed Yaremchuk up front - his mobility and patience. Later on, when there was more viscous fighting and reliance on standards, we needed Dovbik. We must take into account the fact that all our guys, including Yaremchuk and Dovbik, have done a lot of drafting work, for which they deserve special thanks.
- What does the draw with the English give us in terms of the tournament, and what can we expect from the next game - against Italy?
- In the match with England, the Ukrainians spent a lot of energy and emotions. This success, and this draw is exactly a success, should be immediately forgotten. The match with Italy will be even more difficult. Unfortunately, the calendar was ruthless for the Ukrainian national team - it is extremely difficult to play two games in a row with top opponents. Now the main strategy is to recover. Again, to draw the match, in which we had little possession of the ball and, in fact, demonstrated a hundred per cent realisation, is a great result. Of course, our team will have a rotation for the match with Italy. You can not play the same football against opponents with different styles.
Oleg Semenchenko