Oleksandr Kosyrin: "It was enough to look at Mudrik, who, smiling, was husking seeds"

Former Ukraine striker Oleksandr Kosyrin shared his impressions of the match of the 1st round of the 2024/25 Nations League Ukraine - Albania (1:2).

"Why is this failure so painfully perceived? Because the worst thing is when they do not live up to expectations, because before the match most experts considered Ukrainians as favorites. Unfortunately, everything ended with a willful victory of Albanians, which is not undeserved. Our team had an advantage only in ball control, but what was the benefit of it, when it did not come to cannon shots from distance or accurate last pass.

It's hard to say why our national team looked so helpless at their own goal when the opponent's standards and at the guests' possession. Underestimated the opponent? I don't think so, because the guys were well aware of how much it means to start in a prestigious tournament. Or maybe they didn't give their best to return to their clubs, where they earn millions, without injuries?

I don't want to believe it, although certain doubts appeared when during the TV broadcast Mikhail Mudryk was caught on camera, smiling, husking seeds, not worrying at all about his partners, who didn't feel well.

I've already had to read in the post-match comments, saying that the wrong players play for Ukraine. But this is the choice of Serhiy Rebrov, who is responsible for the result. Let's hope that not all is lost, that a man-to-man conversation took place and the right conclusions will be made. Moreover, the Ukrainian national team did not fail two games in a row. Therefore, in the match with the Czechs there is an opportunity to rehabilitate," Kosyrin said.