On September 7, the national team of Ukraine will play its first match in the League of Nations - it will host Albania in Prague. Former Ukrainian national team player Andriy Polunin shared his expectations of the match in the Czech capital:
Andriy Polunin- I hope that Serhii Rebrov's team has done a good job of correcting the mistakes made at the recent Euro 2024 in Germany, where everything was spoiled by the opening defeat by the seemingly outsiders, the Romanians. Therefore, in order not to step on the same rake, we should treat the first match - with the Albanians - as a decisive one. Otherwise, it will be difficult to avoid trouble. The guys should realize that our group is equal in composition, moreover, the Czechs, Georgians and Albanians are adding to their strength with each tournament, so we need to reckon with them and adjust as much as possible.
- In your opinion, did coach Serhii Rebrov invite all the strongest players for the September matches against Albania and the Czech Republic?
- This is the choice of Rebrov and his assistants, they are responsible for the result. However, if something depended on my opinion, I would advise taking Oleksiy Hutsulyak, Oleksandr Nazarenko, and, in the end, Oleksandr Svatok would not be superfluous, provided he is in fighting shape.
- The call-up of Serhiy Sydorchuk to the national team, who has no playing practice in Belgium, where he is currently playing, was also controversial.
- I recall that Rebrov always emphasized in his comments that he would only call up those who play regularly. As for Sydorchuk, I think that two veteran full-backs in the national team is too much.
- Serhii Rebrov also noted that Dynamo Kyiv players arrived at the national team's location exhausted after playing in European competitions.
- As for me, they had time to recover. Moreover, the Kyiv team was accommodated and their UPL match with Vorskla was postponed.
- Fans of the national team do not hide their concern about the fact that Shakhtar's representatives in the national team do not look convincing at the start of the season, and the same can be said about our legionnaires, who are either in reserve or do not live up to expectations.
- Rebrov is not to blame here. But the guys have a great opportunity to believe in themselves again through a successful game in the national team. Because, indeed, there are questions to Mykhailo Mudryk, who disappoints on all "fronts", to Artem Dovbyk, who failed at Euro 2024 and does not score for Roma, although, of course, it is a shame that he was injured at the last stage of training in Prague. Not only them, but also some of their teammates, first of all, must figure out why they slowed down. Because, believe me, it's not such a long way from a promising to a mediocre player.
Dmytro Verbynskyi
