Ukraine's captain Oleksandr Zinchenko commented toSuspilneon the Blue and Yellows' 3-1 victory in the Euro 2024 qualifying match against Malta.
Photo: P. KubanovOn the match against Malta
"We all understood that this was a very important game for us. The most important thing is that we got three points and showed character. A very good reaction to the missed goal. It happens in football when you concede first, and you need to get back into the game as soon as possible. This is what we did."
On the composition of the Ukrainian national team
"I've said many times that during the time I played in Europe, I saw a lot of talented players among other national teams, other countries. Maybe we don't have as many talented players as Brazil, but we have one thing, and you can't take it away from us. This is character. This applies not only to football, but also to our soldiers. Thanks to the Armed Forces of Ukraine, we can play our most important game."
On Mykhailo Mudryk's goal
"First of all, I congratulate him on his goal. This is an important goal for the team, it calmed us down. We already have experience when we played 2-1 and conceded at the end of the match, like with the Kazakh national team. So this is a very important goal for us, the team, for his confidence. I hope he will continue to do so, but only for the national team."
On the upcoming match against Italy
"A 'home' game against Italy? I will say that wherever we play now, there are a lot of Ukrainians at the stadiums. There is a lot of support, I would like to say a big "thank you" to them. We live in a difficult time, but people still come and support us. This motivates us even more. Wherever we play, I am sure that Ukrainians will support us. Unfortunately, we live in the most difficult time since Ukraine became independent. With this war, how we have become one, Ukrainians around the world... I don't remember this happening before. Since the first day of the full-scale war, we have all united and helped each other."
Yevhen Karanov, Serhiy Levadniuk
