Former Ukrainian national team defender Volodymyr Mykytin shared his impressions of the match of the 1st round of the 2024/25 Nations League Ukraine - Albania (1:2), which took place yesterday in Prague.
Vladimir Mikitin- You know, there is disappointment not only with the result. Unfortunately, there is also dissatisfaction with the game demonstrated by the Ukrainians. Yesterday's game once again confirmed that it is problematic for us to outplay the opponent, who is tightly defended.
- After the final whistle, the coach of Albanians noted that his wards outplayed their opponents tactically.
- This is a question to the coaching staff of the Ukrainians. The reality is that our ingenious combinations in positional offense were easily solved by Albanians.
After all, what can we hope for when our first shot on goal came only before halftime.
- At the post-match press conference Sergei Rebrov almost for the first time during his work with the national team noted that his charges acted weakly, especially the defenders.
- We are stepping on the same rake. In truth, the problems in the national team's game were, first of all, from the helplessness of the midfield players: Sudakov was lost, Brazhko often made mistakes, Tsygankov lacked aggression. Kabaev tried to aggravate the situation at the other team's possession, but it was him who failed to keep up with his player when the guests scored for the second time.
Well, and our play at the standard at our own goal is a disaster. For some reason, the guests were regularly alone and in several episodes simply forgave the Ukrainians for their carelessness.
- In your opinion, if Mudryk and Dovbik were on the field, we can hope that the game would have turned out differently?
- Hardly. They act in the same style as Kabaev and Yaremchuk, so there was no difference. Because, I repeat, yesterday our edge defenders were inactive, and the midfielders lacked creativity, passes to cut in. That's why Yaremchuk was on a starvation ration.
- The Ukrainians will face the Czechs, who will try to rehabilitate themselves after the defeat by the Georgians at home.
- Frankly speaking, I didn't expect such a failure from the Czechs in Tbilisi, after all, our team disappointed. Therefore, the day after tomorrow in Prague will be the final. Both teams have nowhere to retreat. The Czechs have a tall team and it is interesting how our team will play on the second floor. We can only hope that with open soccer the Ukrainians will have more space for vulnerable attacks.
Maxim Kovalenko
