Former forward Serhiy Chuichenko answered various questions about the Yellow and Blues on the eve of the national team's important matches in the League of Nations.
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- Serhii Oleksandrovych, what are your expectations from the matches of the national team of Ukraine with Georgia and the Czech Republic in the League of Nations?
- The game will be difficult for Ukraine due to the fact that the Georgian national team is definitely on the rise. Everyone knows that Georgians have always been known for their technique. And now many talented young Georgians have moved to strong European clubs, for which they play very well. It's not for nothing that they left the group at the European Championships! Georgians are now a worthy opponent. I can't say that you can't play with them. Because I think we still have a good team. It's just that something is not working out a little bit. But I should add that in these matches with Georgia and the Czech Republic, many leaders will not play because of injuries. In this regard, Ukraine has problems. And Georgia is playing good football now and is a decent team, which will be very difficult to play against. But let's hope for a positive result!
- The Georgians have Kvaratskhelia as their main star up front, while in Ukraine's attack, we can say that Mudryk plays the role of Khvicha. Do you think Myshko will find himself in this match?
- Mudryk, of course, has great speed. He is a fast footballer. And Kvaratskhelia is more technical. But I can't say that Khvicha is slow either. We'll see in the match what condition the leaders will be in. But we need to look at the whole picture, not at specific individuals. We need the whole team to play like an accordion. And then, I think, we will achieve some goals and results. But our players need to be on their toes, because the leaders of the Georgian national team make the game.
- And the goalkeeper of the Georgian national team is good!
- Of course! According to Transfermarkt, he is the most expensive goalkeeper in the world! At the European Championship, everyone saw how many times he saved Georgia! He made a huge number of saves. The Georgians have a good goalkeeper.
- As a forward, what can you say about Artem Dovbyk, who has started to score consistently for Roma? Does he have to prove himself in matches for the national team?
- I want to note that he improved many of his qualities in Spain. He gained experience and learned to play better, making better decisions on the field. That is, he has a good shot and has become more cunning in different situations. Artem's performance is very good in terms of his growth as a footballer. Dovbyk is gaining great experience. He plays well for Roma. And I want Artem to prove himself in the Ukrainian national team as well.
- And Sudakov proved himself before the matches of the Ukrainian national team. He made a poker in the UPL match against LNZ. Was he in good shape for the important meetings of the League of Nations?
- Perhaps, somewhere Sudakov was influenced by the situation with his price, which was so often reported in the media. And, apparently, he is thinking about it. That's why George wants to prove in every game that he is progressing and getting better. But with each match he adds and shows a good result, especially in this match with LNZ, where he scored 4 goals. But, of course, the levels of the Ukrainian championship and the Champions League are different. But we hope that in the next Champions League matches, Shakhtar will improve in all components. We also believe that Shakhtar will make us happy in these next matches.
- By the way, your former team Oleksandriya, which was called Polyhraftekhnika, is currently in third place in the UPL, only 2 points behind the first Dynamo. What can you say about Oleksandriya?
- Yes, I am pleased with the kind of football Oleksandriya is playing now. Rotan, who was initially criticized, has produced results. A person needs time. He has to teach his tactics and how he sees the game. It is clear that every president has his own tasks, and he wants the coach to fulfill them. But there must be an understanding that the coach needs to be given time to show what he can do. Rotan gave the result! He is a great guy! I am very happy for Rotan. I am glad that he and his coaching staff have reached this level. I wish them to continue in the same way and be in the top three, to fight for European Cups.
- What do you think of Oleksandriya forward Oleksandr Filippov, who has already scored 5 goals in the UPL this season?
- I am familiar with him. I wish Filippov success. It all depends on him and how he works and uses his chances. For a striker, using even one moment that you have is worth a lot. It all depends on him. He can become the best goal scorer in the UPL. We need to work on and feel all these moments.
- Kalyuzhnyi from Oleksandriya, as well as Nazarenko and Hutsulyak from Polissia, Kryskiv from Shakhtar were called up to the national team of Ukraine. Will they have a chance to prove themselves, do you think?
- Nazarenko is a very good player. I really like his game. He adds a lot. Nazarenko is young, and he also scores a lot and makes a lot of assists. Nazarenko is a useful player. I think he was deservedly invited to the national team. The other guys got a chance because of the injuries to the leaders of the Yellow and Blues. They have to seize this chance and show their best. Everyone hopes that they will also show decent football! I want to wish our national team to achieve the goals they have set for themselves in this Nations League. I believe that Rebrov is a good coach. I wish Rebrov to fulfill the goals he sets for the national team.
Dmitry Kotkov