Today, the national teams of Ukraine and Italy will meet in Leverkusen, Germany. "To qualify for Euro 2024, the Blue and Yellows need only a victory - can Rebrov's men do it? Famous coach Serhii Kovalets shared his expectations from the match.
Sergey Kovalets- Serhii Ivanovych, the Ukrainian national team is only satisfied with a victory in the match against the Italians. How realistic is this task for the Blue and Yellows?
- To some extent, this is good. The task is clear - we have to play to win, there are no other options. Yes, someone may have hoped for a positive result from the Macedonians, who drew with Italy earlier on their home field, but you need to look at things realistically.
You should always rely only on yourself. In this regard, I think we have a good chance of a positive outcome.
- Didn'tyou think that the Italians looked more powerful in thematch against North Macedonia than against Ukraine in September?
- Perhaps. At the same time, it was good information for Serhii Rebrov's coaching staff. Especially since the Ukrainian national team did not play the match on the same emotions as the Italians, and it is emotions that are the most difficult to restore in the shortest possible time...
This can work, the Blue and Yellows are approaching the match fresher. And given our situation, when there is a war in the country, the guys will make every effort to give positive emotions to their countrymen.
- Who has the psychological advantage?
- I think there will be parity in this regard. It is important for our team not to burn out, as it was in the first face-to-face match. I believe that the coaching staff of the national team of Ukraine will do everything to ensure that the team approaches the game in the best possible condition.
I would like to see positive emotions sweep across the country as a result of this match - first and foremost, for those people who help us live a normal life. Victories add optimism to the fight for freedom and independence.
- How do you see the game itself?
- In Italy, everyone says they will win. Any team should have this attitude, but we all know how the Italians can play when they need to win.
And if they build a game from defence, it could be good for us. It will be easier for our team to possess the ball, we can combine more, shoot from long range. However, Italy has a really strong team now - a symbiosis of experience and youth. It's clear that Luciano Spalletti has united the nation after the team suffered a slump during the 2022 World Cup.
It is a pity, of course, that the match will not take place in Ukraine, where the spectator support would be at the maximum level, but I want to believe that our guys will feel at home in Leverkusen.
- Our leaders are in good shape now, does this add to our optimism?
- Absolutely. It reminds me of the mid-2000s, when Andriy Shevchenko won the Ballon d'Or. And when he came from Milan to the national team, there was always an emotional uplift, as evidenced by the result at the 2006 World Cup.
Nowadays, there is a whole group of players who play for strong European clubs: Mykolenko scores for Everton, Zinchenko for Arsenal, Dovbyk is among the top scorers in the Spanish Primera, with Tsygankov bringing him the ball (smiles). Trubin is always in the Benfica first team, and Zabarnyi is in Bournemouth. I hope that our experienced players know how to act in such an intense match under great pressure.
-What is your forecast for the Ukraine vs Italymatch?
- Of course, I would like our team to win. Let the score be 2-1 - this is enough to achieve the goal. Italy spent a lot of energy and emotion against North Macedonia, so we need to take advantage of that.
In a match with the Italians, it is important to be brave, like our soldiers on the front line. And we must believe in ourselves - then we will definitely see the Ukrainian national team at the 2024 European Championship.
