Former Dynamo forward Oleh Salenko told us what he expects from the Ukraine vs Iceland game and explained how we can counter the Vikings.
Oleg Salenko- How will the game with the Icelanders turn out, what kind of football will we see?
- Iceland will play with set pieces, they will constantly throw the ball into the penalty area. We need to take control of the game. We have guys who play abroad and can strengthen the game. If they do not take control of the game, it will be difficult. You have to pass the ball against them. They play long passes, pile on the goal and fight. And that's it. And in such circumstances, anything can happen. Rebrov understands this. We need to keep the ball for at least ten minutes so that the opponent can run.
- What aspects of the game should Ukrainian players focus on?
- The basis is two central defenders. They seem to be there, but they do not fully fulfil their functions. In the centre of the pitch, we have players in our national team who play alongside others, but there are no such players who take the ball away. Taras Stepanenko is a player who destroys everything. This team needs him. There is no one else to take his place. Brazhko likes to play more on the attack. He can't clear the middle like Stepanenko can. In the future, Volodymyr can replace Taras, but for now it's only a prospect. I watch the matches with my friends Oleksandr Zavarov and Volodymyr Bezsonov and we came to the conclusion that there are 50-50 chances. Ukraine's U-19 team is also playing against the Swiss on the same day to qualify for the Euros. So on the same day, two national teams can go to the European Championships. I hope it will work out. It is important for a country that is at war. This is a sign that people here have not broken down.
- The Ukrainian national team is five times more expensive than the Vikings. We have a lot of players with experience, while the opponent has much less. What happens if we lose?
- Well, it doesn't mean anything. Over the past two years, Iceland has made a serious contribution to the development of football and built 20 fields. So that's something like that. A small country invests so much money in sports. It is not possible in our country yet. There is a big difference here. Our big players can't keep top players with this level of championship because of the war. Now, even in the U-19, they are looking at when and whom to send where. And what happens if we lose? Nothing will happen. We will wait for the next chance. Nothing else will happen. Rebrov will not be removed. Now Shevchenko's son has made his debut for the U-19s. Then we will have to create a team from the beginning and count on new forces. But I don't want to think about bad options. I hope they will work out.
- We have beaten the Icelanders once in history. It was in 1999, and then Serhii Rebrova scored the only goal in the game from the penalty spot. 25 years have passed and Rebrov can beat this opponent again, but in a different status. What can you call it?
- Well, let him try to beat him as a coach. As Valery Lobanovsky always said: "The team wins, the coach loses". Rebrov knows these words well. He will want to do it. I don't know the condition of the national team players. Here is Roman Yaremchuk. In Valencia, he doesn't always succeed and sometimes plays poorly, but here he comes on as a substitute and makes a difference.
- What is your prediction for the game and wishes for the guys?
- I never like to make predictions. But as a former veteran, I want our team to win. The result can be any. But I want our team to go further at this stage. As the great coaches say: "The main thing is the result". So I think Ukraine will win 1-0.
Nazariy Shmigil
