Former coach of Dynamo Kyiv and the Ukraine national team Jozsef Sabo shared his impressions of the Ukrainian national team's performance in the semi-final play-off match of the Euro 2024 qualifying round against Bosnia and Herzegovina.
József Szabó- I probably had the same feelings yesterday during the match of the national team as the whole Ukraine. The first half, frankly speaking, was not good on the part of the Ukrainians, and the second half ended with a validol.
As I said before the game, we had to endure the first half, and in the second half the Bosnians do not have enough strength. After all, their players play in European clubs, they are older guys, so they may not play at their maximum for 95 minutes. But, unfortunately, our team still conceded a goal. Then we got back and snatched the victory. But somehow everything came out on nerves, and it was a bit late. It was good that there was luck in the end of the match.
- What was the reason for the poor performance in the first half - underestimation of the opponent or brave play of the Bosnians?
- I think that only the fact that the Bosnians have well learnt the game of our national team. But our team also prepared and studied the opponent. I think that it happened as we expected. The Bosnians could not keep up the pace. But we had to worry. Good substitutions. Rebrov did well, he reacted to the course of the match. The players are also good. God forbid that now they recover well and prepare for Iceland. Because at the end of the match with Bosnia Ukrainians gave a good pace, fresh players added speed. And the Bosnians went down.
- Yaremchuk - the hero of the match?
- Perhaps, he deserves such a title. He scored a goal, gave an assist. It was obvious that the Bosnians could not keep up with our guys on the flanks. Earlier they used to provide insurance, but in the end of the match they could not keep up. Roman ran away and made a goal to Dovbik. The guys did well, but I was a little angry when we didn`t score the third goal. We had to make a point, not to concede an accidental goal in the final seconds.
- Dynamo player Brazhko made his debut in Zenica. Did he adequately replace Stepanenko?
- Well done. I thought that Serhiy Sidorchuk would play. But the coaching staff knows better. Brazhko is progressing before our eyes. I think he played well and eventually in the future he can move to a European club, somewhere in Spain or England. He has all the qualities for that. But by the end of the match in Bosnia he was already "full", so he was replaced. Substitutions, of course, affected the game. Luck was also on our side.
- Will it be more difficult for the Ukrainians with Iceland than in Bosnia?
- A hundred per cent. This team is stronger. Especially in defence. Icelanders use standards and counterattack well. Our defenders will have to be very attentive. The midfielders will also be under pressure, we need to help the defenders.
Will Mudryk be needed in such a game? I do not know, because there will be little space to run away.
As for Tsygankov, I think he will not be ready for the whole match. Only as a substitute. Zinchenko is also not in full form. He did not play because of injury, and it was felt in Bosnia.
We need to be attentive. Iceland punishes for mistakes. But I think that our national team will also prepare for the match, and Serhiy Rebrov knows what to oppose the opponent. The main thing is to recover physically, because there is not much time before the game with the Icelanders.
