Vasyl Kobin: "I don't see any changes in the game of the Ukrainian national team compared to Petrakov's team"

Former Ukraine defender Vasyl Kobin commented on the draw between Ukraine and Germany (0-0) in a friendly match.

- What were your impressions of the match against Germany? Many fans criticised Rebrov for playing timid football. What is your opinion on this?

- I also belong to the category of these fans, because when Rebrov was appointed, we heard many statements that we would play bold football, the football of the future and so on. I have seen nothing at all during the Euro qualifiers and the work that is being done now. I don't see the team progressing. At the level of players we have in the team now - and we have a very powerful attacking line, and the guys show this by playing in the club - the national team plays, in my opinion, too primitive, timid football. They don't play bravely, and football loves the brave - and the brave always win.

So far, this is not evident, although enough time has passed. To play the way we played yesterday - okay, there was a plan for the game, but if, according to the statements, we want to be on a par with the top teams, then we need to play brave football.

- What does Rebrov need to do to make his football "bolder"?

- You need to play higher from your goal, work hard on a high line of defence, high pressure, counter-pressing. Those teams that play in this way usually win, take trophies. This football is bright, and the fans appreciate this kind of football.

Playing as much as possible from the defence, crossing the middle of the pitch three times for Mudryk to run out on the counterattack - it's too easy for our team, and I don't see any tactical issues.

At the moment, compared to Oleksandr Petrakov's team, I don't see any changes. We see that our players Tsygankov and Dovbyk are fighting in the Spanish league, playing attacking football, scoring, giving assists and showing a decent level of play.

The same Mudryk plays in an attacking style, Sudakov at Shakhtar, Shaparenko at Dynamo, Zabarny at Bournemouth, Mykolenko, the same Trubin from Benfica and Lunin from Real Madrid - these players need to play bold, aggressive football and not be afraid of anyone.

The way we played the match against Germany yesterday, it seemed to me that we were afraid of someone. Not the guys, but the coaching staff is afraid. They are not confident in their abilities.

Oleksii ALEXANDROV