Former player of «Karpaty» and «Hoverla» Mykhailo Kopolovets evaluated Ukraine’s chances in the play-off round of the Nations League against Belgium.
— Mykhailo, you wished the Ukrainian national team to face Hungary, but you said that it’s possible to play against Belgium. What do you say after the draw?
— I like it when our national team plays against stronger teams, it’s possible to play football with them. Teams like Romania or Albania play defensively. Belgium shows an open game. Therefore, I hope that we have a great chance to progress. We know this team, we can prepare well, and they might underestimate us. We tend to play better against top teams, so I hope for a good result.
—What do you remember from Belgium's performance at Euro?
— I remember that they came out and played against us not the best football. The Belgians have a number of good players - De Bruyne, Doku. But then I saw that the team seemed to be disjointed. I hope they remain that way, and we will show our best football. I think our games against them will be very good. I don’t think Belgium is the worst opponent for us in the play-off. They play football, they will open up somewhere, and we can play on the counterattacks. Honestly, I like Rebrov as a coach, I trust him. I think maybe somewhere God will help us and we will break through.
—What do you think, why are the Belgians going through a crisis with such top footballers?
— Now everyone has learned to play football, everyone analyzes opponents, knows their weaknesses. It works in our favor that not everything is smooth there. Today we can play against anyone. Who would have thought that Georgia could show such a game? There are no authorities on the field anymore. You should play for the national team with soul and heart, fight for every inch of the field, then the class of the team takes a back seat. And when it’s Belgium against you, it doesn’t matter whether it’s Belgium or not.
—Is there a similarity between the Ukrainian national team and Belgium?
— No, this is a completely different team. They have much stronger players. If we compare players, of course, Belgium is stronger than our team individually. They are just going through a crisis, but their players are top-class. Let’s compare De Bruyne with Sudakov. This can be done, but the Belgians are stronger; they are already realized. We have a young team that is just starting to realize itself. However, we can shine against them. Look at the great moments we have in matches, how we break on counterattacks; it’s glimpses of great football. And how well Mudryk played; he’s our hope because he can beat opponents, carry the ball, and score. We need to utilize that against Belgium.
—If Ukraine gets through Belgium, could that be called a sensation?
— Why should that be a sensation? I don’t think so, they are people just like us. If we beat Argentina — the world champions — that would be a sensation. But this is Belgium, yes, a strong team, but we can handle them. I think it will be more interesting for us to play with such a collective. It’s clear that they will be favorites, but I wouldn’t say it will be a sensation. If the Ukrainian national team plays its best game, a good result against the Belgians can be achieved.
Andriy Pavlechenko