Former Shakhtar and Ukraine national team defender Vyacheslav Shevchuk shared his impressions of the October matches of the national team within the Euro 2024 qualification.
Vyacheslav Shevchuk- Vyacheslav, let's start with the last match between the Ukrainians and the Maltese. Why did the blue-and-yellow team make the fans so nervous in the first half?
- I think that there was no underestimation of the Maltese team. It was a difficult match. All small national teams are well organised tactically and physically. It is hard to hide something, we need to go to every game maximally tuned.
- Did Malta defender Ryan Camenzuli's goal save you in the first half?
- You have an opportunity - you have to shoot. It's good that we equalised.
- In general, how do you like the game of the main team in October matches?
- Very hard matches. It is important that we took six points and have a chance to get out of the group. Not so long ago the head coach was changed, both players and coach need to adapt. The specifics of the national team work is different from club football. In a short period of time it is difficult to get into the game at once. I am sure that the team will add and strengthen its positions with each game.
- The next match in November we will play against the Italians. Is it a decisive confrontation?
- We can play on equal terms with Italy. We have a lot of players who play in top championships and in leading roles. Tsygankov and Dovbyk are now progressing, Mudryk alone can decide the fate of the game. Our players are no worse than Scuadra players. It was a tough match in Milan, but now it is important that the players recovered as much as possible and were able to show their football.
- What are your impressions of Mikhail Mudryk's debut goal for the national team?
- Mudryk is a talented player who is working on himself. I have heard criticism of Mikhail from our ex-players. But I do not agree with them at all. Mudryk moved to a top championship at the age of 21, maybe the transfer fee gives pressure, but he is a top player, he needs a certain period of adaptation. If he is given space, he will decide the fate of the match. This goal will give him confidence and determination. Mudryk understands everything himself, he is developing, progressing, he lacks a bit of luck, but the goals will come. At Chelsea he has the trust of the head coach, and this is important for a player in the national team.
- What does our team lack in defence now?
- There are problems in terms of team compactness in defence, sometimes individual mistakes are noticeable, we need to work on it.
- Do the Ukrainians have something to surprise the Italians in the last match of the selection?
- We need to be more active, do something unexpected for them, maybe our team will be better prepared physically, maybe we need to offer intensive play, high pressing. But it's up to the coaching staff to decide. Our team has a good chance, all the players play in the first place, so I am confident in our guys.
