Former Dynamo coach Oleksandr Khatskevych, who now heads Zaglembe, shared his impressions of Ukraine's victory over Iceland and qualification for Euro 2024 withUF.
Alexander Hatskevich- Oleksandr Mykolayovych, what are your impressions of the match?
- In terms of the result, it was just great. I am very proud and happy about this victory, it means a lot to the whole of Ukraine.
Here we need to talk about two matches at once. The game against Bosnia was a coaching one. The players who came on as substitutes turned the game around. A lot was at stake, and Serhiy Stanislavovych reacted perfectly, making the right substitutions.
As for the match against Iceland, it was clear that the result was important for both teams, and the task was not to concede. The first goal of the Icelanders came thanks to Gudmundson's good individual actions. We can say that someone underperformed somewhere, but we shouldn't discount individual qualities.
The same can be said about Tsygankov's goal, where Vitya showed good individual action. Mudryk's ball was a combination. In the second half, the players of the Ukrainian national team stepped over themselves and played for the result. If the match with Bosnia was a coaching one, then the substitutions against Iceland did not affect the result, but the players showed character.
- What was the atmosphere like at the stadium?
- The atmosphere in the stands was super. All the fans were charged up. The Ukrainian players did their best in the second half and it deserves respect. This is a very big victory for the whole of Ukraine.
- Why was it difficult for the Ukrainian national team, both with Bosnia and Iceland, even though we were considered big favourites?
- We need to come down to earth a little bit. Favourites in what way?
- By the level of the players.
- Yes, many players of the national team of Ukraine play in the top championships, but, in addition to individual actions, team actions are also needed. Many people talked about some timid football played by Rebrov's team, but look - today the whole of Ukraine woke up happy. The result is the most important thing.
- Who can you single out in terms of personalities in these two matches?
- Against Bosnia, Yaremchuk made a great substitute appearance. We can say that he influenced the outcome of the match. The national team's coaching staff also deserves compliments for removing one defender and putting on two strikers. This gave the result.
Vitya Tsygankov's individual qualities played a big role in yesterday's game. He also took part in the second goal. But I don't want to single anyone out. The whole team won.
- The Ukrainian national team mostly plays with one forward. Who should be the main striker - Yaremchuk or Dovbyk?
- The most important thing is that Yaremchuk and Dovbyk were both useful in these two games. In the first one, Roma were effective in scoring a goal and providing an assist, and in the match against Iceland he did a lot of the groundwork. Dovbyk, who came on in the second half, also performed his required functions at that point in the match.
Who will be the main man? There are no main players in the national team and everyone should be ready to help. God willing, all our guys will continue to play and score in their clubs, it will give them confidence. Also, don't forget that there are still young strikers - Vanat and Sikan - who should be ready to come on at any time and help the team.
- After the match against Bosnia, we interviewed Yaremchuk's former agent Sefer Alibayev. He said that Roman failed to play at Dynamo because the Kyiv club thought he was drinking and breaking the regime, although it was not true. Can you comment on this?
- I don't know who could say that Yaremchuk was breaking the regime. I have never seen a more professional footballer. I've known Roma since he joined Dynamo's youth team, and then I took him to the double. I have never seen him break the regime. Perhaps such talks are beneficial to someone, but Yaremchuk has never been noticed in such moments.
- Let's talk about the national team's goalkeeping position. Can we already say that Lunin has secured the number one spot for a long time?
- Lunin played for the national team the way a Real Madrid goalkeeper should play. Real Madrid has top players, so we can safely say that Lunin is the top. With the score 0-1 against Bosnia, Andriy's save was decisive. If he had played badly at that moment, 0-2 would have been a tragedy.
Lunin also helped out with Iceland at 1-1. From the stand, it seemed to me that the ball was going into the goal, but Andriy reacted perfectly.
Today, Lunin is the first choice for the Ukrainian national team, but no one knows what will happen in three months. God willing, all our goalkeepers, Lunin, Bushchan, Trubin, will be in great shape.
- Do you think Lunin will be able to compete with Courtois after his recovery?
- Lunin is moving in the right direction. Now Rebrov and Ancelotti believe in him, he is No. 1 at Real Madrid, and for me, the Madrid club is the best in the world. Andriy has already proved his worth to everyone. He needs to keep it up and be confident. Many people have already written that Lunin should change his registration, but he did not give up. This shows that he has a strong character.
- Lunin also won the competition against the most expensive goalkeeper in the world, Kepa .
- There will always be someone more expensive and someone cheaper. In my understanding, Lunin is now more expensive than Courtois.
- Did you manage to talk to Rebrov and our teammates before or after the match?
- Before such important matches, it makes no sense to disturb the coach and the players. We exchanged a few words with Andriy Mykolayovych, but let this conversation remain between us. I can only say that I saw in the eyes of the UAF president an extraordinary concentration and emotion.
- What do you expect from our team at Euro 2024, where our rivals will be Belgium, Romania and Slovakia?
- Let's just enjoy Ukraine's victory today. What will happen in three months is another story, so I don't want to speculate. You always have to believe in the best. In these two matches, the Ukrainian national team showed that even with not as good football as everyone expected (with a lot of chances and a bright game), the team has character and can rebuild in the face of a negative result.
It will be easier at the Euros. Three teams can leave the group, and the national team will have to solve different problems than in the qualifiers. God willing, all the players will be healthy and in the best possible condition for the Euros.
- Vashchuk said in an interview that the Ukrainian national team could even win the Euro.
- Vlad is a good man, he is an optimist. We all have to be optimistic, but let's wait for the Euros, the team has to go from game to game.
- Do you think Yarmolenko should be called up for the Euros or should Rebrov rely on younger players?
- The decision should be made by the coaching staff. There is a good example of Costacurta, who was 40 years old, but he was the leader of Milan in the dressing room. Yarmolenko's experience and football intelligence will always come in handy at the Euros.
I hope that he will approach the European Championships fully prepared in terms of function. He may not even play, but he can be a leader in the team. I wish Andriy a speedy recovery and that he will be a leader both on the pitch and in the dressing room.
Andrii Piskun
