Kryvbas head coach Yuriy Vernydub told what he expects from his team's return match with Spanish Betis in the playoffs of the Conference League qualifying round, which will take place today at the club's field. As a reminder, the first meeting between the rivals ended in a 0-2 defeat for the Ukrainian team.
"We were really looking forward to these European Cup matches. "Betis is a Spanish team from the top 5 European leagues. We are very pleased to be here. I understand that we lost the first match 0:2, but on Thursday we have the second match. We will go out and play, and then we will see who will get a ticket to the group stage of the Conference League. All the guys are healthy and ready to fight.
Betis has good fast players, high-level players. It will not be easy for us in Spain, here at this stadium. But we are ready for a tough confrontation, a hot game. For us, this game will remain in our memory for the rest of our lives, because we represent Ukraine and will do everything to look our best.
As for the squad, everyone is healthy. Only the striker Prins Adu, who joined Viktoria Pilsen, will be absent. But we will find a replacement for him. I am really counting on the player who will start tomorrow as a striker. I hope he will be able to show his best. In general, I think our starting lineup will not be very different from the one we had in the first match.
The conditions for Ukrainian teams are very difficult now. The war has been going on in Ukraine for three years. We understand this. But we still have to live and survive it. We will still win and protect our families and children from the orc invasion. It is really difficult to prepare for matches. Plus traveling. It took us two days to get to Spain, but my guys are ready for it. Also in the UPL, matches often stop and we go to the bomb shelter. But this is our life in Ukraine today. I hope it will end soon and we can return to a peaceful life.
You all know that yesterday and today (Monday and Tuesday - editor ' s note), our hometown of Kryvyi Rih was hit by ballistic missiles that hit civilian objects. Yesterday - at the Aurora Hotel, where innocent people work. There are many victims: men, women, and children. Today is the Day of Mourning in Kryvyi Rih. I would like to support our Ukrainian people. We want this war to end as soon as possible so that we can stop losing our loved ones and children. One of the motivations for us on Thursday is our fans. We will do everything to please and support them," Vernydub said at the pre-match press conference.