Thecaptain of the youth national team of Ukraine Maksym Melnychenko in an interview with the Karpaty club website summarized the performance of the Blue and Yellows at Euro 2024 U-19.
Maxim Melnichenko- Maxim, the emotions from the European Championship have calmed down a bit. How would you rate the team?
- I think the final result is not bad. We have fulfilled at least the task. However, we wanted more.
- What task did you have before the start of the tournament?
- We wanted to qualify for the World Cup to be held next year. To do this, we had to get out of the group. If we talk about goals directly at the European Championship, we dreamed of winning. In the semifinals, we deserved more, but this happens, it's football.
- You returned to Lviv with Volodymyr Yezerskyi and probably had time to discuss the Euro in detail?
- Yes, we did. In general, at the tournament, Volodymyr Ivanovych primarily helped with issues related to defense. He has a lot of experience and knowledge. The correct positioning, the game against the opponent - Yezersky did a tremendous amount of work, as did the entire coaching staff.
- The emotional Volodymyr Ivanovych complemented the more calm Dmytro Mykhailenko. Are they like good and bad policemen?
- They have different styles of team management, but it works equally well. Both Mykhaylenko and Yezerskyi can be good and bad policemen at the same time.
- Mykhailenko recalled that after the game against France in the semifinals, the players had tears in their eyes.
- "It was definitely a shame. We stopped fighting for a step towards the final. As I said, the match itself was not bad either. Ukraine could have claimed more. Now the emotions are calming down and we are gradually switching to work in clubs.
- The fate of the final was decided by Valentin Atangan's only goal from a corner. It seemed that it was simply impossible to keep him out.
- By the way, we did not focus on this guy. He was just one of those players who go for standards to someone else's goal. Perhaps our attention was not focused on Atangan also because he is not a grenadier. His average height is probably 175-176 centimeters. But how he jumped! And he scored a goal for us.
- In the last minutes of that match, the camera caught your dialog with the Frenchman Elie Krupa. What were you talking about?
- The French striker had just come on as a substitute, a minute passed and he told me: "You have a very good team. It is very difficult to play against you". I reciprocated and praised France: "You have a great team too". I've had similar dialogues before, but they were more likely to be controversial and concerned contradictions on the field.
- You are a well-known all-rounder who can cover positions in the center of defense and in the support area. During the Euros, you demonstrated this once again. Still, where do you feel more comfortable playing?
- In the first two matches, Ukraine generally played well in defense. We did not allow our opponents to create chances and did not concede. However, I feel better in the center of the field and consider the position of a fullback to be more familiar. When I found out that I would play there against the French, I was very happy. In the center, I had to do a lot of running work, but I like such functions.
- You were one of three field players who played all the matches without substitutions.
- I didn't feel tired. Firstly, we had a good recovery. In addition, we outperformed the French because we had a day's more rest. I believe that with each game we became better physically.
- In all the matches, you led your teammates onto the field with the captain's armband. Did you have any additional responsibilities?
- There is nothing extraordinary off the field - everyone is equal there, it does not create any advantages or additional obligations. And during the game, I do a lot of prompting and managing team formations. I talk a lot and help a lot with tips.
- Who are your best friends with?
- I get along well with everyone, but I communicate a little more with my Dnipro-1 teammates: Vladyslav Krapyvtsov and Ramik Hajiyev.
- The press wrote a lot about the striker Christian Shevchenko. What do you think of the heir to the football legend?
- When Christian was first called up, it was a bit unusual because he didn't speak Ukrainian. But now everything is great. Christian is a cool guy, a good football player. He tried like everyone else, worked hard. I think he adapted to the team very quickly, because he felt the support of each of us.
- The European Championship is a fast-paced tournament, but there was still enough free time. How did you fill it?
- First of all, the format of the tournament obliges you to recover quickly. There's not much time between games, so you don't want to overload yourself with active activities. Relatively speaking, you can't go for a long walk in the city. You have to always be as prepared as possible. We usually spent time in the hotel, talking, playing some games. If we talk about my interests, I used to read a lot, now I read a little less.
- The tournament was hosted by Northern Ireland. What do you think of this country?
- First of all, I would like to mention the climate. It's mostly rainy and gloomy there... At the same time, it's an advantage for footballers, because there is no heat, comfortable conditions for playing. As for non-football, I remember an excursion - we visited the Titanic Museum in Belfast.
- Another feature of the Euro is the support of Ukrainian fans.
- It was especially felt during the match with the French. In the group stage, we played in Larne at a smaller stadium, and the semifinals were held at Windsor Park in Belfast. It seemed like we were playing somewhere in Kyiv or Lviv. The stands supported us as warmly as at home.
- Atmospheric videos from the team's camp periodically appeared on social media. The songs on the bus were especially impressive. Who was responsible for the music?
- Usually, the person who is in the mood after a victory is responsible for the music. Before the match, either Gennadiy Synchuk or Ramik Hadzhiyev played something of their own.
- Markiyan Bakus was very energetic . Is Rukh's goalkeeper the team's main joker?
- Oh yes, Markiyan joined the team perfectly. He always supported the guys and helped them. Backus did not play on the field, but he made a very significant contribution to the overall success. We joked that we had a good toastmaster (smiles).
- After a long absence, you returned to Lviv.
- Immediately upon arrival, I spoke with the head coach. I am looking forward to a full return to training. I have a week before the start of the season to get involved. I can say that I really like it here. "Karpaty" is a space in the context of the conditions created. The base, the fields, the staff - everything is at the highest level.
- After saying goodbye to Dnipro-1, you had different options. Who did you consult with about your future?
- With my parents. By the way, they advised me to join Karpaty. But still, the final decision was mine. I believe that this step is very important and correct for my career.
- Your parents are not directly involved in sports?
- No, they don't. My dad works as a driver, and my mom works at one of the enterprises in Odesa.
- Did they enroll you in football at some point?
- My father took me to the lessons by the hand. Although I asked him myself. I was just curious. I wanted to feel what it was like to play football. Over time, I began to make progress, I was drawn to this business. I also went to the stadium as a spectator. I remember a strong Chornomorets team that played in European competitions. My favorite players in that team of Roman Hryhorchuk were Frank Ja Jaeje and Cito Riera.
- After your native Chornomorets, you played for Dnipro-1.
- I went there when I was 16. It was easy for me because I was moving to Dnipro with a few partners from Chornomorets. We quickly adapted and got involved. Time passed and I made my debut for Dnipro in the Premier League.
- Yurii Maksymov gave you this chance.
- Every coach gives you new knowledge and changes your outlook. These are new feelings, emotions and challenges. Maksymov is no exception. He talked to us, the young guys, a lot. I felt trust, the coach let us get to the core. It was interesting.
- Now you have a new challenge and a new goal - to realize yourself at Karpaty?
- Yes, this is a task for the coming years. I want to play consistently in the lineup and help Karpaty. I dream of success with my new team.
