Former head coach of Dynamo Kyiv and the Ukraine national team Jozsef Sabo spoke about the situation in the national teams of Ukraine of different ages - from the national team to U-19.
Jozsef Szabo- As a former coach and player, who for a long time was in the center of such tournaments, who lived such competitions, I can't even think how it is possible to go to the Olympics without the strongest squad!
The Olympics have always been considered the pinnacle of sport, and soccer players are no exception. Such a chance can fall once in a lifetime, and I am extremely unpleasant that my beloved Ukraine has disposed of this gift in such a way.
Clubs talk a lot about patriotism, but when they have to choose between a certain compromise in favor of the whole country and possible financial gain, they choose the latter. For them, the money factor is more important than the prestige of the country. I am not surprised, but, I repeat, I am very upset by this position.
I also have a question, who is responsible for the Olympic team in our country? It seems that only Ruslan Rotan lives the fate of the team, worries about the result. He tried so many times to reach the bosses of clubs, to break through this wall - he explained, asked, begged..... But Ruslan Petrovich, for all his virtues, remains only a head coach, and at this level it is almost unrealistic to talk to people on whom such decisions really depend.
Every country tries to send the strongest to the Olympics. Look at Argentina - the reigning world champions are taking top players to Paris, and FIFA rules are the same for everyone. And we have a certain vacuum around this issue. The head coach is responsible both for preparation and for persuading clubs to let players go. I am overwhelmed with indignation and misunderstanding. And anxiety for the fate of our soccer with this approach.
And it would be okay if the game performed by our clubs and national teams was joyful, and there was not enough room on the shelves for the trophies won. But this is not even close. Euro-2024 in Germany is a total disappointment. Rebrov's team failed, and many fans still have a bitter aftertaste from the game of the main team of the country.
Now there is a youth Euro, where the Ukraine U-19 national team is represented. In two matches Dmytro Mykhailenko's team failed to score a single goal - neither Northern Ireland, nor Norway - countries that have never been the trendsetters of soccer.
Yesterday I watched the match against the Norwegians, excuse me, but this is a nightmare, not a game! You just can't get it on your head. Tactics is reduced to throwing the ball forward in the hope that one of the partners will be the first. I did not see any interesting combinations or thought. Everyone is on his own, I tried to single out someone and could not. Except for soccer surnames: Gusin, Shevchenko....
After ours I watched the game with the participation of young Italian boys, who beat Northern Ireland (3:0) - it's heaven and earth. They play much more interesting.
And this is despite the fact that both Rebrov and Mikhailenko could count on all the strongest performers. Rotan has no such privilege. He is a coach, a manager and a negotiator. I do not understand what soccer managers do, what they get their salary for.
Viktor Peregnyak
