Former Ukrainian national team player Yuriy Shelepnytskyi told Komanda1 that our players need to play dual matches in the same breath.
- Statistics are a stubborn thing: they show that the Ukrainian national team plays worse in the second doubles match.
- How can we get rid of this sad tradition?
- The national team managers need to trust their players more. Remember that the squad includes not only the 11 players who come on the field from the start, but also six or seven other players who can be counted on. So, the current head coach Serhii Rebrov should strengthen the game today with the nearest reserve. Believe me, there are no irreplaceable players, after all, even leaders can get tired.
- Do you think that in Malta you will have to rotate your squad?
- Yes, but the changes will be minor: in the support area, on the wings... Who I would definitely not touch is Dovbyk. His focus on goal should pay dividends today.
- The Ukrainian national team desperately needs a victory, do you think that three players will be involved right away?
- No, I think we'll start with the usual 4-2-3-1 formation, but our team is more mobile than the Maltese, and we should try to open the scoring quickly using the space. If this plan does not work, then, since the hosts will play from the defensive, we will switch from a positional attack to a game with three forwards. Compared to the Maltese, the Ukrainians' performance is superior, and this should sooner or later ensure the result. I expect goals not only from Dovbyk, but also from Sudakov, who opened the scoring in Prague against the Macedonians.
- Speaking of the confrontation in the Czech capital, who would you mention among the Ukrainians?
- Sudakov, of course. He is a versatile footballer who can play in the support area and in a position under the striker to the benefit of the national team. He has a passing culture and a well-placed shot. This can be useful to him in Malta.
- It seems that you have no doubts about the victory of the Ukrainian national team...
- I wouldn't say that so categorically, but you always have to respect your opponent. I'm just convinced that Serhii Rebrov's team has a higher level of skill, that with maximum concentration they will achieve the desired result. And then we will have a battle between Ukraine and Italy for a direct ticket to Euro 2024.
Vasyl Mikhailov