The head coach of Kryvbas told what to expect from the decisive Euro 2024 play-off match between Ukraine and Iceland and named the player who impressed him in the previous meeting.
Yuriy Vernydub- The most important match for Rebrov in his entire tenure as national team coach. There is a lot of pressure, expectations and the task of reaching the Euros. Can't this play a cruel joke on us?
- We need them not to feel it, but to go out and play. Serhiy Stanislavovych will do everything right to make sure the players play well. We need to play the kind of football that will allow us to get past the Icelandic national team.
- Historically, it is very difficult for us to play as a favourite. Now we also have an advantage, although not a huge one. Will you be able to play as number one?
- It's hard for me to say. I think we will be able to. There were a lot of good matches in the Euro qualifiers. There are guys who play in the top 5 championships, so they have nothing to worry about. They have the necessary skills of a footballer who plays in good leagues. I think everything will be fine. We have a young team. As for the physical condition, everything is fine here too.
- We failed in the middle of the field with the Bosnians. Zinchenko didn't play as well as he should have, because after the injury, Sudakov couldn't play the whole match on his own. And Brazhko's debut, which was not bad. Stepanenko is out. How can we improve our play in the centre?
- Well, because there was a lot of talk before the game with the Bosnians. This also played a role. It's good that we won. We have to go out and play. What do they need to improve? There is already a coach here who works with them, so he will tell them how to do it. It's up to the players to go out and play the way they should.
Almost every player already has good experience of playing in European competitions. Our foreigners also play not for any outsiders, but for teams that are really worth something. They have to prove that they deserve the status they are currently in. These are Dovbyk, Yaremchuk, Tsygankov, Zinchenko. We need to talk less and do more on the pitch. This is the most important thing. Because we talk a lot before matches, and when we go out on the pitch, it's not so easy.
- Do the national team players talk a lot, do you mean?
- Both the players and our experts. I understand that this is their job. But they need to be a little more restrained. The most important thing is to concentrate on the game and reach the Euros. I think we can do it. Both the players and the coaching staff. In my opinion, Serhii Rebrov is one of the best coaches in the history of the national team. And the guys are fine. Take Shakhtar's Sudakov. He just has to go out and show class. But not in words, but in practice. This is the main thing.
- We saw that the defence also loses players. Why do our players lack concentration in some episodes?
- There will always be mistakes. When you play as the first number, you focus more on attacking actions. Serhii Stanislavovych will choose the right scheme and tell you how to play. Not all teams play as number one. Even the top teams. It's the coach's choice.
I think we can achieve the result that will lead us to the European Championship. Our country also needs this. Football is a sport where someone has to lose and someone has to win. Anything can happen here. We need to think only about the positive. And the guys know how to play, they need to come out and show it.
- Everything seems to be in order in the attack. We hope that Tsygankov will play. If Viktor gets his minutes, will it help the national team a lot?
- It would be very good. It's a solid reinforcement. But I would like to mention Vladimir Brazhko, I really liked him in the game with the Bosnians. He is a young guy who deserves to play this position in the Ukrainian national team. He showed that.
- So was he able to replace Stepanenko fully?
- It's hard to say. Taras Stepanenko is Taras Stepanenko. Experience is experience. He is a leader on the field. Although he is already over thirty, he knows his job, knows when and where to be and what to do. Brazhko is just beginning his journey. It's great that he has started well. If he continues in the same spirit, he will succeed.
- What is your forecast for the game?
- I do not make predictions. I want our team to win. But I don't make predictions. Let experts and analysts do that.
Nazariy SHMIGIL
