Famous Ukrainian specialist Petro Kushlyk told what he expects from the friendly match between Poland and Ukraine, which will be held today in Warsaw.
- Poles are footballers of the same character. When their game goes well, it goes well. And if something goes wrong and they need to hold on, then there are problems. In general, the Poles know how to play soccer - competently technically and tactically. But in terms of their physical condition... They remind me of the players from the post-Soviet countries - Georgia, Azerbaijan, Armenia, who were very good with the ball, but their "physics" was not so good.
- Do you mean that Poles are not enough for ninety minutes?
- Exactly so. Up to the 60-70th, maximum up to the 75th minute they look good, but then they "subside". Poles usually lack character, when they need to, as they say, dig in.
You see how people play in England: on the third day after the previous match players are able to run, tear and throw. If we compare them with Ukrainians, for some reason, on the third or fourth day everyone is crying that the game should be postponed. Are we not the same people? The same. We have the same legs and heads. It's just that the approach in England is completely different - people know what they are playing for.
Soccer age is short, so they want to get rich. If our footballer earned 100 thousand dollars, then immediately bought a car - and it was on! Girls, pubs - and "floated" ... And abroad, a footballer who earned his 1 million, seeks to have 15, 20, 30 and more million. They do not count, but continue to play, keep their high game and image levels to maximize their personal budget.
- What do you say about the importance of today's match in Warsaw for Sergei Rebrov's team?
- The match with Poland will be a good opportunity for the coaching staff of Ukraine to see who is in what condition. After this match our team will have one more game (with Moldova - editor's note), which will be the final game to finalize the main squad for Euro-2024. So the meeting in Warsaw will be a big plus for the Ukrainian national team. It will be a good rehearsal before the start of the European Championship. Poles have recently started to play soccer normally, so I expect an interesting match. And how it will be - we'll see.
- What do you think the current Ukrainian national team is capable of at the continental championship?
- If the guys will approach this tournament not only in full readiness, but also with maximum responsibility and attitude, I am sure that they will fulfill the preliminary task - to get out of the group. And then everything depends on many soccer factors - in particular, physical conditions, psychological state.
The state of health will also matter, the ability of the coaching staff to effectively replace one or another injured player, giving him the opportunity to recover.
In the current composition of the national team of Ukraine as never before there are a lot of players who play in the strongest European championships. Most of them are on the radar - Lunin, Dovbik, Tsygankov. Trubin, Mikolenko, Zabarny, Zinchenko and others look good.
In short, there is someone to worthily defend the honor of our long-suffering Ukraine. Now, during the terrible war with the hated enemy, a lot depends on our national team. Each of its success on the soccer field will give strength and inspiration to the soldiers on the front line, will raise the morale of civilians who suffer daily from missile and drone attacks. We all hope for Sergei Rebrov's team and wish it good luck.
Vyacheslav Kulchitsky