Famous Ukrainian football official Yevhen Krasyukov shared his thoughts on today’s decisive match of the Ukrainian national team in the Nations League against the team of Albania.
— Before Euro-2024, journalists and experts made great predictions about our national team, saying that this is the most talented generation. But after the defeat to Romania, there began a total destruction of both the coach and the players.
As for me, we have a young promising team. Rebrov calls up all the strongest, but unfortunately, he is limited in the selection of players. For example, the game against Romania. Literally a few days before the match, left-back Vitaliy Mykolenko gets injured. And I understood that for Rebrov this seems like a catastrophe. Zinchenko is a top-class player, I have followed him since childhood, but I believe he is an attacking player. He can score himself, can provide an assist, but with all due respect to our national team players, the functions of a left-back at Manchester City and Arsenal differ from the functions of a left-back in the Ukrainian national team. All three goals we conceded from Romania, by the way, were from the left flank.
You see, when one player can be crucial for the team. I can give you one example. The best player in the world, Lionel Messi, has traveled to World Cups and the Copa America many times and the rosters of the Argentina national team were stronger than the current ones, and Messi himself was younger. And he failed to win any of the tournaments. But with the arrival of goalkeeper Martinez, who saved 4 or 5 penalty shootouts in these tournaments, Messi became a world champion and won two Copa America titles. Therefore, those who criticize Rebrov and the national team should, in my opinion, look much deeper. And Romania... There are many guys who play in England, Italy, Spain, etc. Or the national team of Albania. Look at the roster, there are 8 or 9 players playing in leading European championships.
Regarding today’s game, I am sure it will be very difficult for us because, most likely, we will play as the first team, while the organized team of Albania will defend and catch us on counterattacks.
A big minus is the absence of one of the team leaders Viktor Tsygankov. But at the same time, there is a group of very talented footballers. First of all, it’s Mykhailo Mudryk, whom I consider one of the best attacking midfielders in Europe, and who can create a moment out of nothing. There is Artem Dovbyk, the top scorer of La Liga last season, Shaparenko, Sudakov, Brazhko. A qualified defense line led by experienced Matviienko. A wonderful group of goalkeepers — Trubin, Bushchan. Unfortunately, Lunin did not come, but instead, Riznyk was called up, whom I consider the best player in the Ukrainian league at the moment.
My opinion is that Ukraine is stronger than Albania. And if each of our national team players plays at their level, then victory will definitely be ours,” the expert said.