Myron Markevych: "Ukraine did not play badly"

Karpaty head coach Myron Markevych summed up the results of the Italy - Ukraine match (2-1) in the Euro 2024 qualifiers.

- Myron, why did the Ukrainian national team look so nervous against Italy compared to the match against England?

- Our second games have always been difficult: under Shevchenko, under Petrakov. Plus, Italy is a pretty serious opponent. They say that they are in crisis, but I didn't see that: in the second half, they changed almost half the team, but the game didn't deteriorate. The Italians had nowhere to go. If they hadn't won yesterday, they would have almost lost their chances of finishing second.

- How do you like Yarmolenko's performance after his return?

- I don't want to go into personalities. I will only say that our team gave too much freedom to the Italians in the middle of the field. And the national team coaching staff will analyse who did not do enough. Ukraine did not feel very solid in the centre of the pitch.

- Yarmolenko has three goals left to score to break Shevchenko's record for goals scored in the national team. Do you think he will succeed?

- Against Northern Macedonia and Malta, he has every chance of breaking the record. I wish him to realise this.

- Why did our team make so many mistakes: Sudakov's loss of the ball, after which we conceded, Bushchan's cutback in the second half, where we were saved by a miracle?

- Nervous tension played a role in this. It's not easy to play at the San Siro, the stands were driving Italy forward. I can't say that the Ukrainian national team played completely badly, but there were too many mistakes. The opponent felt very free in the middle of the field.

- Why didn't our leaders Zinchenko and Tsygankov play well?

- Against England, they gave a lot of strength and energy. It's not easy to play two matches against strong opponents. Previously, we had this: one serious team, then, for example, Luxembourg. Now we have to play two games in a row against monsters like England and Italy. Moreover, the Azzurri needed a victory, and they came to the game with us as if it were their last battle.

- Why can't Mudryk prove himself, since there are so many expectations for him?

- Perhaps he is not psychologically ready. He has good speed and good technique, but he can't use his strengths yet. I thought that after coming on as a substitute he would help, because the Italian defenders had already had enough, but it didn't work out. We will wait and hope that Mudryk will break through. We need him to play at Chelsea, otherwise we need to change clubs.

- Choose the Man of the Match following the game against Italy.

- Konoplya was probably the best player in our team. He played quite well on the edge of the box.

- What are our chances of finishing second in the group after the defeat to Italy?

- There are chances. Everything will be decided in the last game with Italy. I think we will beat North Macedonia and Malta.

- What conclusions should Rebrov draw in the second match against Italy to count on success?

- We need to tighten up the game in the middle of the pitch so that Italy does not have so much freedom and space. Otherwise, it will be difficult to count on a positive result.