Former Dynamo Kyiv and Chornomorets Odessa striker Oleksandr Kosyrin told what he expects from the semi-final play-off match of the Euro 2024 qualifying round between the national teams of Bosnia and Herzegovina and Ukraine, which will be held today in Zenica.
Alexander Kosyrin- Of course, I expect Serhiy Rebrov's wards to win this match. The guys must understand that this victory is very important for the Ukrainians, who courageously defend their homeland from the encroachments of the Russian aggressor and made sure that our players had the opportunity to do what they love in this difficult time. Therefore, the mood of the Ukrainian national team should be appropriate.
- In your time, playing in attack, you were characterised by the focus on the opponents' goal. How can you explain the goal drought of our scorer Artem Dovbik?
- Artem is defending the colours of Spanish "Girona" this season. I am sure that he was helped to adapt quickly by Viktor Tsygankov from Kyiv Dynamo, who moved to this team earlier. In the last rounds of La Liga, Artem, indeed, did not look convincing. Perhaps the absence of Tsygankov, who has been haunted by injuries lately, had an impact, because our compatriots worked well together at the start of the season.
However, it is possible that there are some reasons of psychological nature. Still, don't forget that there's a war in Ukraine, and Artem's thoughts may be in his homeland, and it's a bit distracting. But tomorrow Dovbik, I hope very much, will fulfil our hopes.
- Since we are talking about Tsygankov, do you think he will play in Zenica?
- Perhaps, even Serhiy Rebrov will not give a clear answer to this question. Viktor did not play in the last tour in Spain because of an injury and everything will depend on his condition. I am inclined to believe that Tsygankov will be in the reserve on Thursday, and already on 26 March in the decisive game of the play-off round will be in the starting lineup.
- But for that we still need to beat the Bosnians.
- In my opinion, the Ukraine national team is stronger than the hosts. Its core is made up of players who play in the top championships, and any spring football in their performance is out of the question. After all, in England and Spain now in the heat of competition for places on the podium. Therefore, the game tone of our foreigners should be at a high level. Besides, all of them are in the prime of life and the main thing for Zenica is that Serhiy Rebrov should choose the most worthy ones.
