Famous Ukrainian coach Oleh Fedorchuk shared his forecast for the Euro 2024 qualifying match between Ukraine and Northern Macedonia, which will take place today in Prague.
Oleg Fedorchuk- We shouldn't expect any surprises in tactics from the nominal hosts' manager Serhii Rebrov. We will start with the traditional 4-2-3-1, and in the attack we will adopt a 4-3-3. The only concern is who will replace Yarmolenko and Tsygankov, who will be sorely missed.
- Vitalii Kosovskyi and Ivan Getsko, well-known players in the past, said in their comments to Sport.ua that Rebrov would choose one of the three: Mudryk, Karavayev, Malinowski.
- Mudryk - yes, but Malinowski and Karavayev are more likely to come on as substitutes. They lack intensity for the full 90 minutes. I would entrust the place on the right wing to Zubkov, who is not only mobile but also an aggressive player.
- It is easy to predict the players for other positions in our starting line-up.
- This shows that Rebrov has already managed to stabilise the squad and has decided on the players he can count on in the near future.
- In your opinion, is Rebrov's "hand" already felt in the leadership of the national team?
- "Hand" is not quite appropriate here. I would say an approach to managing the process. From Rebrov's actions, it seems that he has come for a long time, to take, for example, the systematic functioning of all national teams, in particular, their adjustment to one tactical scheme. Although, in my opinion, even an outstanding coach who has been entrusted with the national team finds it difficult to make something of his own in the 3-4 days he is given to prepare. The main thing here is not to make a mistake in tracking the players at the club level and then bring to life the developments used by his predecessors or the schemes on which he is going to rely. By the way, Rebrov started this qualifying cycle at the head of the national team, as they say, with wheels and he has the option to take risks, but he has not yet used it. Judge for yourself. If journalists and experts are already predicting 80-90 per cent of the starting line-up for the match that will take place today in Prague, it is clear that Rebrov is not up to experimenting. In the end, the tournament situation also forces him to rely on proven fighters. After all, it is desirable to win in Prague.
- Then who do you think will play as a pure striker in Prague? The experienced Yaremchuk?
- No, in his current condition, Roman is not very fast in offensive operations. I think Dovbyk or Vanat have a better chance of playing up front today. Still, I'm inclined to think that the choice will be made on the Girona newcomer.
- What does our team need to demonstrate today to get the coveted three points?
- Try to score a quick goal. Then it will be easier to counterattack when the guests come back with great force. Next is game discipline and functional training. And the smile of Fortune, although there may be problems with it, because our stock of luck could be exhausted in the match between these teams in the first round. I'd like to be wrong, but I have a feeling that everything will end in a productive draw in Prague.
- And then what?
- This is not the worst option, by the way. There will still be chances to make it to Euro 2024.
