Oleh Dulub, head coach of the Cherkasy LNZ, analyzed the friendly game between Germany and Ukraine.
- What were your impressions of the match?
- It was a bit of an unsociable game. I saw a great desire to win from both teams. The strategies were different, but they reflected the trends in world football. Everyone played at high speeds.
- Germany's advantage in ball possession at the beginning of the match was up to 85%, but in the end it was something like 57-43%. What do you think of Ukraine's play without the ball?
- I have two impressions. First of all, I liked the good compactness. The only thing we failed to do was to make quick transitions from defense to attack, because Germany was very competent in defense, their two center backs took the striker in a sandwich. Therefore, the first pass did not reach, there were clippings from Mudryk, Zinchenko, and there were dangers at the Ukrainian goal.
- Were you surprised by Ukraine's scheme with three central defenders?
- I was not surprised at all. In general, this is one of the options for playing at the Euros. If my memory serves me correctly, Rebrov used a three-center back formation at Dynamo in 2017, and he did quite well.
This is a very underrated system of play. It's not defensive, as many people think, and with great attacking wingers, it can turn into an ultra-attacking system.
- What do you think of Zinchenko and Konoplya on the wings?
- Rebrov's decision is quite interesting. I discovered a lot for myself. Zinchenko and Konoplya are a kind of asymmetrical wingbacks. Konoplya took more part in attacks or occupied a wide point, while Zinchenko shifted to the center and played as a support player. This is the first time I've seen a linebacker used in this way.
- Were there any surprises for you regarding the starting lineup?
- I thought Dovbyk would play center forward from the start. This is the only thing that surprised me. But, probably, the fatigue from the season affected him and he was just given a rest. His absence, like Sudakov's, was one of the reasons why Ukraine's offense was not good. The Tsygankov-Dovbyk, Mudryk-Sudakov connections were broken.
- Do you think we can see this lineup at the Euros?
- It will depend on the opponent and the condition of the players. Ukraine now has a lot of potential in terms of players and different systems of play are possible - 4-3-3, 4-2-3-1 and 3-5-2.
- It is interesting to hear your opinion about the veterans based on yesterday's match. Are Stepanenko and Yarmolenko still able to strengthen the Ukrainian national team for the Euro?
- In any team, the most important thing is not tactics, fitness and technique, but the atmosphere in the locker room. From this point of view, Stepanenko and Yarmolenko are irreplaceable players. If we look at the playing aspect, they can still bring great value to the team.
The way Stepanenko disrupts and manages players is priceless. And Yarmolenko can score decisive goals and he has the ability to hold onto the ball, which he showed in the match against Germany when Ukraine was under pressure.
- Who do you see as the leader of this Ukrainian national team on the field?
- No matter what anyone says, Zinchenko is one of the leaders. I also hope that Sudakov and Yarmolenko will play. Perhaps Mudryk will reveal himself in a different way. The same Dovbyk should become a leader, 24 goals in La Liga are not scored just like that.
The World and European Championships are interesting because the substitutes in the first matches eventually become stars for various reasons. So there is no reason to believe that the leaders of the teams are established players, and other players will come to the fore.
- What can you say about Mudryk? I immediately recall his pass in the first half, when he did not pass to Yaremchuk in a good position, but shot himself, but the shot failed.
- I have a double impression. It seems to me that Mudryk is still depressed by his transfer fee. Everyone wants a lot from him, as if he were a superhuman. But he is a very young and unformed player who has phenomenal speed and charisma. If he finds himself in a favorable environment at Chelsea, he can grow into a great player.
Yesterday's moment? A more experienced player like Yarmolenko would have given Yaremchuk an empty net. Mudryk simply did not have enough experience to understand the moment.
- Trubin played a phenomenal match against Germany, but today Lunin, who has been the main man in Real Madrid for most of the season, has already arrived in the national team. Who will be number 1 in the national team?
- In my opinion, these are two goalkeepers of approximately equal class. I think Rebrov will make his decision right before a particular match, in consultation with the coaching staff.
Who impresses me more? Trubin, but this is my subjective opinion. Ukraine is now playing through ball control because there are a lot of Shakhtar players in the team, and Trubin is better with his feet than Lunin. They are about equal on the line. Against Germany, Trubin saved everything and didn't make a single mistake under tremendous pressure.
- Who will you give the Lion of the Match award to?
- It will be Stepanenko. Against Germany, he looked solid in terms of destruction, guided his teammates, and gave them suggestions. He is currently one of the leaders of the national team.
- Were there any players in the Ukrainian national team who dropped out in the match against Germany?
- The only one who dropped out of the game a bit was Mudryk. You always expect a lot from him, but yesterday he didn't finish his counterattacks to the last pass. He also lost the ball in his own half of the field. Players of this caliber have no right to make such mistakes.
Shaparenko definitely did not drop out, he just played below expectations because in the final rounds of the UPL he was a top player. Perhaps in the match against Germany, he came under pressure that he was not used to in Ukrainian league matches.
- What do you expect from Ukraine's friendly against Poland?
- It will be an interesting match. I think Ukraine will play with four defenders against the Poles. The lineup will be more optimal and closer to what we will see outside of the Euros.
- How far can the Ukrainian national team go at Euro 2024 with our golden youth led by Serhii Rebrov?
- Rebrov is a very good coach with a lot of experience and great ambitions. Ukraine's squad is also very good. Against Germany, the first-team players came on as substitutes. The team has two squads.
If Serhiy Stanislavovych finds a balance between veterans and youngsters, the Ukrainian national team can go far at the Euros. This team has everything: the ability to control the game, to vary different systems, and there are speedy players on the flanks and finishers. Getting out of the group is the minimum for this Ukrainian national team.
Andrii Piskun