Former Dynamo Kyiv and Ukraine defender Taras Mykhalyk told Sport.UA what will be interesting for him about the Germany-Ukraine friendly.
Taras Mykhalyk (photo: gettyimages.com)- Today, Serhii Rebrov's men can give him a great gift for his 50th birthday in the form of a victory over the Bundestim, which the Ukrainians have never managed before. But then, something always happens for the first time. Moreover, a year ago, Rebrov made his debut at the helm of the national team in a sparring match with the Germans, who only escaped defeat in Bremen under the curtain. In Nuremberg, there is an opportunity to prove once again that the Ukrainians are in no way inferior to the top teams.
- In your opinion, are these last rehearsals more important for whom: the coaching staff or the players?
- I am convinced that for the coaches, who need to have comprehensive information about the condition of their wards, especially since some of them were out for a long time due to injuries and colds.
- Of the three remaining sparring matches, which will be the most important?
- From an informative point of view, probably with the Germans, but I don't think the result will be in the foreground. The main thing here is to play up the links, standard provisions, and synchronisation in the transitional phases. Therefore, each of them will be useful, even with the Moldovans, who are significantly inferior in the pecking order. However, with them we can make sure that we can act effectively as number one. Although with each test match, the time for experimentation is running out.
- In sparring with the Germans, can we expect high speeds, fierce struggle on every piece of the football field?
- No, although it is a great honour for every player of both national teams to take the field today. But we must not forget that this is a sparring match, so it will be important for all players to avoid injuries. The fans should understand this.
- Then finally, how far can the Ukrainian national team go in the final part of Euro 2024?
- We can say about our national team: a combination of experience and youth, it has great potential. I don't like to make predictions, but at least for the Ukrainians to get out of the group is a realistic task.
