Famous Ukrainian coach Vyacheslav Hrozny shared his impressions of the last match, the 6th round of the Nations League between the teams of Albania and Ukraine (1:2).
— Vyacheslav Viktorovich, the team fulfilled the minimum task, reaching the playoffs for promotion. The winning game against Albania, in my opinion, especially in the first half, was calm, although it was crucial. What influenced the course of events?
— The level of players in our team, with all due respect to the Albanian team, is significantly higher. Even those players who are currently getting less playing time in their clubs for various reasons, including Sacha Zinchenko and Roma Yaremchuk, who were always key players under coach Andriy Shevchenko, were leaders on the field yesterday. This speaks of great competition in the national team. The calmness of the game was due to the quick goals scored. If this hadn’t happened, I think it would have been more nerve-wracking.
— Did Serhiy Rebrov make the right substitutions that took place after the meeting with Georgia?
— They were obvious. Yaremchuk, when he came on as a substitute in Batumi, confirmed that regardless of the amount of time he spends in games for Olympiacos, he is a high-level footballer. He made a key pass, which should have been converted by Hutsuliak and Nazarenko. Yaremchuk, like Zinchenko, is currently hungry for playing. They, like the rest, made a difference in the match against Albania.
We have a very strong goalkeeper position, Zabarnyi is generally a top player and considering the defensive problems in Real or Manchester City, I think these powerful teams have already set their eyes on him. After the end of the English championship or even in the winter transfer window, Ilya might end up in a superclub.
Mykolenko is playing at a high level, Konoplya works a lot on attack and provided an assist to Yaremchuk. I will also note the pass from Sudakov — in football, as in hockey, statisticians need to count not only the last pass but all those involved in the goal-scoring attack.
— The Ukrainian national team played very confidently. Why was this not observed at the start of the Nations League?
— In the September matches, we conceded five goals. There were problems with set pieces against our goal, and the goalkeeper often saved us, which indicates defensive issues. In our attacks, we could not get the ball into the opponent's penalty area. But the work of Rebrov and the coaching staff was well done; in October, we saw a different team. The same goes for the matches in November.
I had no doubt that we would win. The Albanian national team in the Nations League has not scored a single goal at home, only against us, and that was from a penalty. They lost to Georgia and drew against the Czech Republic with a score of 0:0. It's easier for the Albanians to play away when they have the opportunity for quick counterattacks. Our team did not give them such chances.
— The criticism of the national team also had its effect.
— It’s not in her nature. Criticism will always exist. Remember what was written about Mancini when Italy did not qualify for the World Cup, although before that they carried him on their hands after winning the Euro. Just as Ancelotti with Real is now under fire from journalists. In sports, this is inevitable. Even if you become a champion, there will still be some who will dislike something. Public figures need to get used to criticism.
As for the result, I’m not sure we would have drawn in Georgia if we hadn’t scored first. However, against the Czech Republic, when we lost 2:3, we should not have lost. No one thought that the Georgians would lose to Albania at home. Now they will play to stay in Division B, although they expected to move up to Division A. They were so confident in their success that they extended their contract with coach Willy Sagnol. Our group was generally not easy; all teams were participants in the last Euro. The tournament situation was constantly changing. Each match influenced the distribution of places.
— Who was the best on the field for our team?
— Zinchenko rightfully received the "Lion of the Match." Now Arteta at Arsenal will think about why there is no place for Sasha on the left in defense, even though he acts effectively as a playmaker in the midfield. In this position, he can help the Gunners fight for the title. The coach of Olympiacos also needs to answer to the club management why Yaremchuk is not playing in Greece, yet scores for the Ukrainian national team.
— In the game against Albania, there were no Dynamo players on the field. What do you think is the reason?
— And Zabarnyi and Mykolenko? Rebrov made a rotation. I thought there would be two or three substitutions, but he brought on four fresh players at once. Shaparenko and Brazhko did well in the match against Georgia, performing a lot of dirty work. Fresh blood was needed. That’s why Zinchenko and Kalyuzhny appeared.
— You mentioned problems in defense that the national team had in September. Are they behind us now?
— Back then we talked, and you made a headline: “Give Rebrov four Zabarny.” They really aren’t there, but the team plays stronger. The problem is not just in the lack of qualified defenders. Yesterday I spoke with Vashchuk, and we agreed that currently, everyone plays zonally, there are no libero or man-to-man marking players. There is a collective irresponsibility. No one keeps anyone. And this is the case in many teams. Remember how Zinchenko scored the first goal. His marker was five meters away, just standing and watching. When Vlad played, the distance between him and the opponent couldn't be half a micron, the striker had no chance of getting the ball. Now they teach zonal defense from a young age, and defenders don’t know how to play one-on-one. This is a big problem, therefore players like Zabarnyi are priceless.
Overall, our defenders, Mykolenko, Matvienko, Konoplya, had little work. Our team controlled the ball and, thanks to a higher class, looked confident. We enjoyed the game. But when we act with maximum intensity, under pressure, problems arise, as in the first match against the Albanians. They played more aggressively and physically then.
— Compared to the match in Georgia, what changed in our team's game?
— Nothing. We just had fresher players. The Albanians appeared more exhausted against our backdrop — the tight game with the Czech Republic took its toll. We changed the attacking group, only Mudryk and Sudakov remained. Rebrov asked to deliver the ball faster to the striking zones, and we have a large group of players who easily deliver such passes.
Mudryk did not look as bright as in Batumi, but we need to consider his challenging position. And there was no need to dribble past opponents, dragging the team behind him. Especially since we scored two quick goals, Yaremchuk was bouncing around, playing between the lines. The attacking potential was sufficient, and if necessary, he would quickly add activity on his flank.
— Can you compare the games of Dovbyk and Yaremchuk?
— They are versatile strikers. Yaremchuk closes free zones, opens up between the lines, receives the ball, and passes. Dovbyk is a distinctly center-forward. It makes no sense for him to drop back to receive the ball, he finds it easier to play facing the opponent’s goal, ahead of defenders. That’s how Harry Kane plays as well. Artem could not step onto the field; it was written that he had a micro-injury, and there was no sense in risking him.
— The victory showed that our team has character.
— We would have won even if we hadn’t scored quick goals. Our team plays powerfully and confidently when we need results. Remember the matches against Bosnia and Iceland. It has genuine Ukrainian character. When it’s tough, we make more effort. When it’s very hard, we achieve the impossible.
— On Friday, the playoff draw will take place. Which opponent, in your opinion, would be easier for us to play against?
— Hungary, Serbia — there will be political moments involved. Both of these teams are going through not the best times. On potential, the Serbs are stronger, but they cannot fully unleash themselves; there are some contradictions in the team.
In Belgium, there is also conflict in the national team. Leading players do not want to play for the national team due to disagreements with coach Tedesco. In their last five matches, they gained only one point. We met at the Euro; we can play against them.
Scotland differs in character. They have few high-level footballers; there are a few from Liverpool, Manchester United, Aston Villa, but they are strong primarily as a team. Overall, these teams are quite strong, but we are not worse.
Gennadiy Chekhovsky
