Famous Ukrainian coach Ihor Zhabchenko shared his impressions of the Czech Republic-Ukraine 3-2 match of the 2nd round of the Nations League, which took place yesterday in Prague.
- " We failed in the first half, there were many mistakes in the opening 30 minutes and there was no confidence that we had before ," Zhabchenko said. " The Ukrainian national team started playing only when they conceded a goal, and then, thanks to the Czechs' refusal to press. Unfortunately, our national team now has no leader, no player who could decisively lead. Yes, Yarmolenko tried his best, tried to hold the ball, give something away, but... We must admit that we are being punished for our mistakes, forgiving us virtually nothing.
- What has changed after the break? As always, the team under the leadership of Serhii Rebrov plays two halves of the game differently...
- I don't know why they didn't play like they did in the second half from the very beginning... In addition, the Ukrainian national team has an obvious and glaring problem - playing in defense, or rather, in their penalty area. This is a psychological problem, a fear of a situation where the opponent sends the ball towards our goal... As far as I remember, this did not happen before - they took off these high passes, played confidently with their heads. Yes, there were mistakes, but there was never any fear or general stupor... And now Ukrainian players are bumping into each other in their penalty area, trying unsuccessfully to knock it out, and not controlling the rebounds.
- Did the starting lineup of the national team of Ukraine not raise any questions for you?
- No, it didn't. After the match with Albania, such changes were quite logical. Stepanenko, Vanat, and Mudryk all had to come out, although the latter absolutely failed in the first half. After the break, Mykhailo was more creative and benefited the team.
- Our team scored very similar goals - a well-aimed pass into the opponent's penalty area and a final header. Why did the blue and yellows roll the ball across the field for a long time before the break, and often afterwards?
- Nowadays, many teams continue to follow the football fashion of controlling the ball, the so-called tiki-taka style... But its legislators, Barcelona and Manchester City, do this for the next important stage - the game explosion, when the game accelerates sharply and the players find themselves in an operational space. But we don't do this, and we don't have the ability to pick up when the opponent successfully defends.
Therefore, we need to play our own football - quickly run into the attack, fight. And now it turns out that all the opponents are actively pressing the Ukrainian national team, which, trying to get out from under this pressure, often makes mistakes and, often, rudely... That's how we conceded the first goal from the Czechs.
- Was there a penalty against the national team of Ukraine?
- Absolutely. Matvienko seemed to spread his wings, put his hands out like that... Of course, he did not want to touch the ball, but the VAR referee was very attentive and principled at this point.
- Despite the defeat, whose performance in Rebrov's team did you like?
- Before the break, we can mention Yarmolenko and Vanat, who were active and acted with desire and inspiration. In the second half, Mudryk woke up, and Tsygankov was useful. In general, it should be noted that Serhiy Rebrov's substitutions were timely and appropriate. Sudakov also played well in this game. In the second half of the match, I liked the football of Stepanenko, who acted reliably. It is clear that it is difficult for Taras to be absolutely blameless anymore...
- Is it possible that Serhii Rebrov will be forced to give up veterans in the future?
- Of course, young people should be given a chance. However, everything is learned by comparison. Our youth should be stronger than experienced performers. So far, they can't push Yarmolenko and Stepanenko off the stage. Brazhko appeared in the national team, but he did not play well against Aobania. Vanat, however, grabbed his chance well - he scored against the Czech Republic. That is, the guys have prospects, but they cannot take over the leadership yet. Therefore, it will not be possible to put an end to the career of our veterans in the national team.
It's good that after the defeat by Albania, some of the Ukrainian national team players managed to shake off the stardust. From the same Sudakov, who was already considered such a star! The main thing is to benefit from these failures, to analyze mistakes correctly, and to look for the cause of failures, first of all, in oneself. If you do this, you will grow. After all, the same Sudakov and Mudryk are capable of playing in Europe. We'll see...
- What do you think of the Czech national team's performance?
- This is a mobile, athletic team that runs very well in attack. Schultz impressed again with his game - not so long ago he tore us apart in European competitions... I should note that I liked the Czech national team, it is definitely stronger than Albania.
- What are the chances of our national team in this draw of the League of Nations after two initial defeats?
- This is just the beginning of the course. If we win all the remaining matches, we can confidently move on. Everything depends on us. In addition, in October-November, the Ukrainian national team traditionally gains momentum - this is a better period for the Blue and Yellows than September. I am sure we will see a different Ukraine team in the future.
Oleg Semenchenko