On Tuesday, 12 September, the Ukrainian national team will play a Euro 2024 qualifying match against the Italian national team. The match will take place in Milan. The day before the game, the head coach of the Ukrainian national team Serhii Rebrov held a pre-match press conference at the San Siro Stadium, which will host the match.
Sergey Rebrov-What is the personnel situation before the match? Has Nikolai Matvienko recovered from his injury?
- There are some minor injuries. As far as I can see, everyone is training. We will make a decision after the training session. We have 25 players, we will have to make a choice. There are micro-injuries that don't really bother the players.
- Only two days have passed since the match with England. What is theteam's physical condition, what kind of workload is it getting?
- There is no load now, the guys are recovering. Even during the evening training session, we will get to know the pitch more and prepare for the game. These two days we are just recovering.
-Can we expect Andriy Yarmolenko to take part in the game?
- He is training, you saw that he was a substitute. Unfortunately, Andriy has no practice, he is recovering. For the last three or four days, Yarmolenko has been working in the general group. His appearance is quite possible.
-What do you think of the Italian national team? How do you assess this opponent, given the arrival of a new coach and the team's draw with the Macedonians?
- Yes, they drew, I watched the game. It was a very difficult match, given the state of the pitch. I saw the intensity, I saw what the Italians were trying to do to win. I was surprised by this intensity. I am sure that tomorrow the intensity will be no less, we must be ready for it.
-How difficult is it to bring the players to the same game tone in a fairly short time?
- Yes, it takes more time. But it's not the first time we've gathered, the players understand everything. We try to convey to them that it is important to concentrate on themselves and on the model of our game. I think the players have improved a lot in terms of teamwork over these five or six days.
-How important is the support of Andriy Shevchenko, who once played in Italy?
- Andriy supports not only us, he supports Ukraine and does important things. He is an ambassador of United24, doing a great job for the country. It is a great honour for me to see him here. The way he played in Italy is an example of a great Ukrainian.
-How important are your team's performances for Ukraine at this time?
- We are now living for our armed forces, the Armed Forces of Ukraine. Everything we do is for them. I can see from the players that they understand why and for whom they play. If you recall the mood that was at the match with England, which was transmitted from the stands, they really represented our country with dignity.
-What do you expect from your opponent in tomorrow's match?
- I know how Italy will play. The players understand that this is a very important match for both the Italians and us. I always tell the players that they should respect the opponent but focus on their own game. If we don't show it tomorrow, it will be very difficult. We understand how important the game is for Italy, but we have to think about ourselves.
- The Ukrainian national team has never beaten the Italians. Willthis serve as motivation or put moral pressure on the team?
- Italy is a top team, so we have not beaten them. It is very difficult to play with such rivals. We got a point against England, but it was very, very difficult. The same game awaits us tomorrow. We have to believe in ourselves, understand that only with our game we can get points at the San Siro.
- The Italian national team is going through a difficult time, given the results, injuries, and the change of coach. Willthis help you, perhaps psychologically?
- I hope that the Ukrainian national team is going through very good times now. Is there a crisis in Italy? I watched all the matches of the Italians, including the final stage of the Nations League, and they are a very good team. Yes, they didn't win the Nations League, but they show a very high level. That's why I don't think they are in crisis. They are a very strong opponent that we have to take very seriously.
- What will the Ukrainian national team do to get ahead of Italy in the standings?
- First of all, it's great that we are playing here. There is a war going on in our country, and it is important to represent it with dignity, as we did with England. We respect our opponent. We have a plan for tomorrow's game. We have to show the character of Ukrainians who are now fighting for their independence. Unfortunately, football is not in the forefront of our country right now. But I believe that in the match against England we showed character and tomorrow we must do the same.
- Doyou think it would be easier to play with Roberto Mancini's team than with Luciano Spalletti's, who has only played one match in charge of the national team?
- I have seen a lot of Spalletti's matches at the helm of Napoli. He won the championship, I have great respect for this specialist. Any coach needs time. Even after the first game, I saw changes - the intensity has increased, the players understand what they are doing on the pitch. It will be a very difficult game for us, but we must be ready for it.
-What can you say to the Ukrainian fans who will come to the match?
- We are very grateful to everyone who comes to the match to support us. This is support not only for the national team but for the whole country. The match will be watched by millions of Ukrainians. I believe that there will be many Ukrainians who will support us.
