Famous Ukrainian sports journalist Igor Linnik shared his impressions of the match of the final round of the Euro-2024 qualifying cycle between the national teams of Ukraine and Italy (0:0), which took place yesterday in Leverkusen.
Igor Linnik"I think that in the decisive match against Italy, the Ukrainian national team played its best game in the qualifying cycle of Euro 2024.
Two thirds of the game time Italians played at such an intense pace, with such a powerful pressure, which not everyone, even the most solid rival, could withstand. But our team resisted, thus fulfilling the first part of Sergei Rebrov's coaching plan.
But Luciano Spalletti's staff failed to realise his main idea - to nip Ukraine's resistance in the bud, score one or two goals and thus leave them no chance for a positive outcome. We could see how concentrated the players of the Italian national team were and really, professionally wound up.
But our players were ready to give them an equally tough counter-fight. That was especially evident after the break, when the Ukrainian national team did not concede to the more athletic rival.
It's a pity our players failed to realise the second half of Rebrov's plan - to score the winning goal in the last quarter of the game time. It was striking how puzzled and exhausted the Italian team was at the end. And in the end, it was she who "bounced back", saving the draw.
I am sure that the penalty not awarded in the penalty shootout will be long and loudly discussed as an episode that does not colour UEFA. Referee Jesus Gil Manzano was generally confident in his handling of the game, but in the moment with the foul against Mudryk he was clearly too hasty, not taking a pause for a proper assessment of a more than controversial situation. And this is after the famous pro-Italian revelations, which on the eve of the decisive match for some reason allowed the head of UEFA....
Meanwhile, our national team will have to make its way to the UEFA EURO through the play-offs. What are the chances of overcoming this barrier? In my opinion, not insignificant. With the quality of play demonstrated by the Ukrainian team under the leadership of Rebrov, it will inevitably become one of the favourites for the final stage of selection - no matter who its opponent is," Linnyk wrote on his Facebook page.
