Vladimir Linke: "Stepanenko is weaker than Kalyuzhnyi"

Volodymyr Linke, former coach of Metalist midfielder Ivan Kalyuzhnyi from Metalist Academy, expressed his opinion on the midfielder's call-up to the Ukrainian national team for the Nations League matches.

- Ivan can play football well, he has gained experience and feels confident now. I know that he loves football and takes himself quite seriously.

- Rebrov did not call up the experienced Sydorchuk, preferring Kalyuzhnyi. Do you agree with Oleksandr Kucher's words that Ivan is now the best holding midfielder in Ukraine after Brazhko and Stepanenko?

- I don't think Kalyuzhny is the third. He and Brazhko are somewhere on the same level, and Stepanenko is currently much weaker than Ivan. And the difference is not only in age. Stepanenko has never had the speed, never had the punch that Kalyuzhny has. And Ivan earns much less cards.

I would like him to cope with the psychological pressure and excitement. I think he will succeed, because he is now a great age for a football player - 26 years old. He has gained experience, so if he gets on the football field, he will be able to demonstrate his level.

Vladyslav Liutostansky