Honored coach of Ukraine, former manager of the Ukrainian national team Miron Markevych shared his expectations for the confrontation between Ukraine and Belgium in the Nations League playoffs.
Miron Markevych (photo: fckarpaty.org.ua)— I intend to support our main team at the stadium in Murcia and feel that Sergey Rebrov’s team will not lose.
— Aren’t you worried that the players of the Ukrainian national team haven’t impressed at the club level this year?
— Performances for the national team and for their clubs are different things. First of all, it is about defending the sports honor of the Motherland, and here the motivation is completely different. So I’m not worried about the current level of preparation of our guys; they have repeatedly proven that they know how to play football well.
— Earlier, the goalkeeper position was considered the least problematic, but recently Anatoliy Trubin has let in many unnecessary goals for «Benfica», and Andriy Lunin still has no playing time at «Real». Who should be the first choice goalkeeper?
— To avoid being baseless, one should be inside the national team. After all, among Rebrov’s assistants is a coach responsible for goalkeeper training, and I am confident that they will make the right choice together.
— And the fact that Belgium has a new head coach before the matches against the Ukrainians will benefit our opponents?
— Undoubtedly, but I wouldn’t overestimate the significance of these changes. Because in the Belgian lineup, even without Courtois, De Bruyne, and Lukaku, there are plenty of famous masters who can consistently demonstrate high-level football. That’s why many details will determine the outcome.
— In the first match, the Ukrainians will be the nominal hosts. Will this matter?
— I don’t think so. If the match were held in Ukraine, the support of the home crowd would have made a difference. After all, our footballers have huge international experience, and I am convinced that in Belgium they will not pay attention to the 12th player of the hosts.
— In the recent Euro, the Ukrainian team drew with the Belgians. Should Sergey Rebrov change anything in the style of play this time?
— In my opinion, our guys should primarily take care of a reliable defense and rely on their 'trump card' — sharp counterattacks. No matter how the confrontation in Murcia ends, the better team will be determined on March 23 in Genk.
Andriy Pysarenko
