Ivan Getsko: "Dovbyk was the worst in the Ukrainian national team"

Former Ukrainian national footballer Ivan Getsko assessed the actions of Serhiy Rebrov's team in the victory over Georgia in the Nations League match.

- I expected more from the Georgians, especially after they crushed the Czechs in spectacular style in September. On the other hand, the Ukrainian team should be praised for not allowing the opponent to demonstrate their best qualities.

- Due to injuries to several leading players, the nominal hosts were unable to use the optimal lineup. Did the absence of leaders like Mykolenko and Tsygankov make itself felt yesterday?

- Perhaps, it did affect offensive operations, but there was more reliability near our possessions. Moreover, the manager Serhii Rebrov relied on team play, when each performer clearly knew his maneuver and did not fall out of the ensemble.

- Then, what can you say about the actions of stopper Taloverov, who used to be a rotation player, and the debut of fullback Kalyuzhny?

- Serhii Rebrov counted on Taloverov, first of all, in standard positions, both at our goal and at others'. After all, the Georgians had tall defenders who joined the offense during corners and free kicks. Since they did not concede, Taloverov has already coped with his task. As for Kalyuzhnyi, he did a lot of rough work, ensured compactness near our possession and also lived up to expectations. Especially considering that it was Ivan's first game for the national team.

- In your opinion, who was the best among the Ukrainians?

- Mudryk, and not only because he scored the winning goal, taking advantage of a mistake by the visitors' goalkeeper Mamardashvili. Perhaps the goalkeeper was let down by the terrible condition of the lawn, which did not allow him to push off properly in that game episode. The "Gorod" in Poznan, as the pitch in Poznan is called, certainly hindered the more technical Georgians. In England, where Mudryk plays for Chelsea, they have already gotten used to his actions and, thanks to the safety net, have learned to neutralize Mykhailo.

But the Georgians seem to have forgotten about the virtues of the agile Ukrainian and allowed him to run away, and he is very dangerous in space. But this is the opponent's problem. Yesterday, Mudryk worked hard for the team and could have scored for the second time, but this time Mamardashvili managed to knock the ball out of the far corner.

- Dovbyk again left the field without his goal.

- Unfortunately, Artem continues to disappoint in matches for the national team. His efficiency is insignificant, because unlike his club appearances for Girona and Roma, where everyone played for him, the national team adheres to a different tactic. And Dovbyk is not one of those performers who can decide the fate of a confrontation on his own. Yesterday, Artem practically did not threaten the Georgian goal, limiting himself to a few plays to his teammates. This is clearly not enough and, in my opinion, Dovbyk was the worst among the winners.

- The victory in Poznan helped Serhii Rebrov's men to return intrigue to the rivalry in our group, but the next match is with the ambitious Czechs, who confidently defeated the Albanians yesterday.

- It will be another final. The Ukrainians are not satisfied with a draw. Therefore, we need to recover well and tune in to win three points. Otherwise, the value of yesterday's victory will be leveled.

Dmytro Verbynskyi