On Monday, June 3, the Ukrainian national team played a draw with the German national team (0:0) in a friendly match held in Nuremberg. Here is the post-match press conference of the head coaches of the teams.
Sergei RebrovSerhiy REBROV, head coach of the Ukraine national team:
- What was the main goal of this match? Are you satisfied with your team's performance?
- The main goal is to prepare for the Euro. This game was useful for both national teams. Unfortunately, now the players are not ready one hundred percent, but we have almost two weeks to prepare.
I saw a great desire of the players, which is very important, a great desire of the team to play on defense. Unfortunately, we had to play a lot of defense. But today there was a team on the field, which understood at the expense of what we can play at the level of the German national team.
- How important is it for Ukraine to play such matches?
- To be represented here at the Euro in Germany is very good for Ukraine. We want to be part of the European community, so such a forum is important for our country. I am glad that we are here now, playing against Bundestim again. I believe that Germany is our most important partner during the war. I am very grateful to this country. We don't have any problems, everyone supports us, that's important.
Unfortunately, soccer is not in the foreground in our country now. It is very important for everyone in Europe and the world to support Ukraine during the war. In the end, I am sure, very soon soccer will be number one in our country again.
Julian NAGELSMANN, head coach of the German national team:
- Of course, we all want to win every match. But for me the most important thing is to have a team on the soccer field. In official matches I expect more from the players, but today you also saw a good game from the German national team.
The first 20 minutes were good. Good pressing. The opponents have quality players, who only at the end of the first half started to create their chances. I think if we managed to score one goal, we would have scored the second and the third.
After the break we managed to increase the pressure. For about 15-20 minutes Ukraine could not get out of their penalty area. I note the brilliant play of the opponent's goalkeeper. "Blue-Yellow" was helped not only by Fortune, but also by good play in defense.
