Former Ukraine midfielder Oleh Shelayev told us what he expects from the 3rd round of the Euro 2024 group stage match between Ukraine and Belgium, which will take place today in Stuttgart.
Oleg Shelayev- "I hope for a victory for the Blue and Yellows, especially given that there may be a draw in the parallel match of our group between Slovakia and Romania," Shelayev said. "It is possible that all the teams, except ours, remembering that they are satisfied with a draw, will act extremely cautiously, thinking first and foremost about the rear.
Regarding the game of the national team of Ukraine at this European Championship, I note that out of four halves, the Blue and Yellows played only one - the second half of the match with Slovakia. Belgium is a very difficult opponent, and this difficulty is reinforced by the fact that the result of the game with Ukraine is extremely important for the Belgians. In terms of pressure on the opponents' penalty area and skill level, the Belgian national team is the best team in our group. I think we will have to play to the scoreline, with an eye on the Slovakia-Romania match.
- What do you think is the main problem of the Ukrainian national team at Euro 2024?
- The lack of the necessary passion in the game, the desire to fight, aggression in the other half of the field. So far, our team cannot jump a little higher than its usual level... Everyone needs to add a little, do more than is expected of him. Mudryk, for example, needs to take more shots on goal, Yaremchuk needs to take over the game, Sudakov and Tymchyk need to move more boldly into the opponent's possession, and so on
- Did our players burn out at the start of the Euro? Or after beating Slovakia, did they find a way out of the crisis?
- What do you mean burned out? I don't think so. They didn't tune in the right way for the match with Romania - that's for sure. And players who took part in matches of the Champions League, Europa League, UPL, La Liga and Serie A have no right to burn out, even at the European Championship. It was the Romanians who could have burned out before meeting us. They could have, but it didn't happen.
- There is a lot of talk now about Mykolenko's ability to play against Belgium. Does the coaching staff of the national team of Ukraine need to take risks, because Mykolenko has not had any game practice for a long time?
- It's better with him than without him. Mykolenko can put pressure on Lukaku, which is important, and add reliability to our defense. This is a better option than Zinchenko in defense. Of course, the coaches need to take into account Mykolenko's physical condition, look at the tests - how much he can withstand now - 60-70 minutes or more.
- Who will defend the goal of the national team of Ukraine?
- If Lunin had played to zero in the match against Romania, there would have been no further questions. At the moment, there is no alternative to Trubin, and it is illogical to change him.
- For the third time, everyone will also guess who will be at the forefront of the attack against the Belgians...
- I think the coaching staff of the national team of Ukraine will be right in any situation - both when they trust Dovbyk and if they release Yaremchuk. Dovbyk will be more useful in the defensive version of our team's game, Yaremchuk can be thanked for the goal to the Slovaks and given a chance from the first minutes. It seems to me that Roman's departure will not surprise anyone.
- Describe the likely scenario of the Belgium-Ukraine match. What is the best way to start the game against such an opponent?
- We will start as the Belgian national team allows us to. A conceded goal will make our situation very difficult, so the Ukrainians will have to act as carefully as possible, leveling the opponent's strengths. No one will argue that a draw, under a certain set of circumstances, namely a victory for Romania or Slovakia, will suit us.
- Should we blame the team for the possible lack of a beautiful game if we manage to achieve the goal of reaching the playoffs? They say, why go out and then disgrace yourself in the 1/8 finals...
- In such a tournament, you need to get out of the group with any game. Reaching the playoffs is a result, statistics. And for the national team of Ukraine - this is a minimum task. I am sure that if the Blue and Yellows fail to solve it, the criticism will be merciless.
- How closely will we need to follow the Slovakia-Romania match, and should our players know the score of this match?
- Serhii Rebrov and his assistants need to know about the game between the Slovaks and Romanians. Because they will need to react quickly and correctly - with substitutions, tactics. It is better for the players to focus on the game against Belgium.
- I've already heard the version that the Slovaks and Romanians have already decided everything and agreed to draw...
- Who knows for sure? So. Of course, if a draw suits both teams, then they can play too cautiously. If the national teams of Belgium and Ukraine were in the same situation, wouldn't they play it safe? And it is not necessary for someone to agree with someone - it can be intuitive. Although there is a risk, because one accidental goal will ruin everything... So, we will see and then decide whether to suspect someone or not.
Oleg SEMENCHENKO
