The Ukrainian midfielder of the Belgian "Westerlo" Serhiy Sydorchuk shared his expectations for the playoff matches of the Nations League between the national teams of Ukraine and Belgium for the right to play in Division "A" of this tournament next season.
Serhiy Sydorchuk«I expect victory from the national team of Ukraine»
— Sergiy, what are your thoughts on the two-match confrontation between the national teams of Belgium and Ukraine?
— I haven’t thought much about it as the guys have just gathered. I am looking forward to the confrontation with great interest as our team is renewing, with many young guys. I will be present at the match on Sunday; I plan to watch, communicate, and support the guys.
I expect a good game. Belgium has a new coach — Rudy Garcia. I was impressed by the list of players he called up. For the first time in many years, the Belgian championship is represented by 4-5 players. From the national team of Ukraine, I expect victory. The game seems to be specific, as a negative result is not critical, but winning provides advantages in the qualification for the World Cup.
— Do you still consider Belgium a top national team, or has their "golden" generation already passed?
— For me, a golden generation is when a team wins something. They have quite a large roster of players to choose from, and the players are indeed of a very high level. In Belgium, a generational change is taking place, that’s true. When you look at their squad, there are both young footballers and those who will soon end their careers in the national team.
— Andriy Lunin said that the chances of the teams are 50 to 50. Do you agree?
— It’s better for the national team of Ukraine when they are not the favorites; the expectations from them are not so high, and there is no unnecessary burden on the guys.
«Everything the Belgians had before doesn't matter»
— The new head coach of Belgium, Rudy Garcia, has no experience working with national teams. Could this somehow affect their game and preparation?
— The coach of the national team — is a specific job. It’s hard to switch from club matters to national teams immediately. It’s a specific preparation; he hasn’t seen the guys and, essentially, their training process has only just begun. It will be difficult at first to implement his ideas. The level of Belgian footballers allows him to use variability; the understanding of the Belgians' game is at a high level. There shouldn’t be any problems with that.
— Before the match with Ukraine, Belgium is experiencing a series of unsuccessful matches: 4 losses and a draw, they even lost to Israel. What could this indicate?
— It indicates that they had to change their coach, and they did. They are starting a new football year with a new coach, and everything that happened before no longer matters.
— Do you think these two matches will be similar to the match at Euro, or should we expect something different?
— I think these matches won’t be similar to each other.
— Rebrov said that Belgium didn’t need a win at Euro 2024, but now they do.
— As I said earlier, Belgium has a new coach, new hopes, and a new challenge for the Belgian players. Indeed, it will be an interesting game and something new from Belgium. It definitely won’t be like that team that played at Euro.
— Let’s talk globally. Is there any point for the current national team of Ukraine to enter Division "A," lose to top teams, and lose positions in the FIFA ranking, or would it be better to stay in "B" and play with equal teams?
— Can I ask you a counter question? If you look at the coefficients, does it make sense for Ukrainian teams to enter the Champions League right now?
If we are fighting for coefficients from a pragmatic point of view, then no, there is no need. But if we are talking about the growth of footballers and interest in football, then of course, we want the national team of Ukraine to play in League "A".
— Ukrainians have already played in Division "A".
— When we were last in Division "A," we had Germany and Spain in our group, and the interest in the matches was tremendous. It seems to me that when you play more matches against top-level opponents, you grow; you see some moments that you wouldn’t see against equal teams.
But if you want to cling to points, from a pragmatic point of view, of course, it is easier to accumulate coefficients where the opponents are weaker. I firmly believe that football is not about coefficients.
«You are in Ukraine, I am in Belgium; it’s not for us to guess who should play»
— Who, in your opinion, should play in the goal for Ukraine?
— There is a coaching staff that decides. We are sitting here together; you know, you are in Ukraine, and I am in Belgium. It’s not for us to guess who should play and where.
The coaches are there; they see the training process and all the matches that the guys have played. The coach has an understanding of how he wants to see the construction of the game and everything else.
I don’t think it’s necessary to give any comments about the guys who should play and who shouldn’t. It’s the head coach’s decision, and he is responsible for the result. So, that’s only his burden.
— What do you think about Zabarnyi's form?
— It’s hard to say — he missed quite a long period of time, but in those matches he played, he was at a top level.
— Can he stop the opponent’s attack?
— I believe that when you play alone in defense, you cannot stop the whole national team of Belgium. That’s nonsense; it cannot happen.
The whole team defends. Ilya will be one of the leaders of the team in defense and will seriously help us in these matches.
«I believe there will be no surprises in the defense of Ukraine»
— What are the prospects for the national team regarding Maksym Talovierov, who has started well in "Plymouth"?
— I can’t say — good or bad; it’s not for me to assess. I see only the results of the team, just like you do. I know the coach Maksym Myron Muslich — he previously coached at "Cercle Brugge," so I understand the kind of game he wants to see from Talovierov.
Does this game fit the national team or not? It’s not for me to decide. It’s a pity that Talovierov had to leave the national team camp due to injury.
— Will there be surprises in the defense of the national team of Ukraine?
— I believe there will be no surprises in defense.
If you remember, at Euro 2024 we played with three central defenders, and that helped to contain the opponents' attack. That same Tymchyk played very well against Doku and didn’t let him do anything. We’ll see how it goes this time.
— Regarding your position. Who should play as a defensive midfielder?
— I am not inside the process and do not know who is in what form. I am 100% confident that the optimal lineup will be there. The one that the coach sees fit. That’s something I can say for sure.
— Who can you highlight among the players in this position who deserve a call-up to the national team? Even from those who are not listed.
— For years to come? Vova Brazhko! He has all the prerequisites to cover this position for a decade.
To be honest, I also like how Mykola Mykhailenko looked in UPL in this position: he doesn’t do anything extra, everything is correct. Mykhailenko looks quite organic in the style of play that Shovkovskiy wants to see.
— Why wasn’t Brazhko called up to the national team?
— Probably because he doesn’t play regularly at "Dynamo" right now. I don’t see any other reasons. I am absolutely convinced that he will steadily play in the national team over time. But now, maybe his readiness level or his performance level doesn’t meet the requirements, and that doesn’t satisfy the coaching staff.
— The left flank of Ukraine is hard to imagine without Mykhailo Mudryk, who received a suspension. Who do you think will play there?
— Honestly, I don’t know. I don’t even know what the formation will be — I’m not sure it will be 4-3-3.
— Maybe they will play with two forwards again, like at Euro?
— It’s possible. Because that game against Belgium was really of high quality from our boys. Why not try again? The only thing is the health of the guys in light of the recent news.
— Is it appropriate to repeat the game with three center-backs?
— Honestly, in that match we were more depending on the national team of Belgium. How they played those two matches with Slovakia and Romania. Therefore, the coaching staff decided to play with three central defenders and two forwards.
Right now, Belgium for us is like a clean slate. No one knows how they will play. There may be surprises from the national team of Ukraine, so I am looking forward to the match.
«This player from 'Brugge' could be the next big transfer from Belgium»
— Could it be an advantage for Ukrainians that compared to the goalkeeper, midfield, and attack, the defense of the Belgians does not have stars?
— There may not be stars if you look at the names, but the Belgian defense is also quite solid if you judge by how the guys play. I can mention those footballers who are currently called up from "Brugge." That’s Brendan Mechele and Max De Kuyper. They are playing at quite a serious level this season, both in the Champions League and in the league.
Max De Kuyper could be the next big transfer from Belgium to a top league. Just like Zeno Debast, who plays for "Sporting" at a good level. Therefore, I cannot call the defense of the Belgians a weak link. By names — maybe, but in terms of play, I wouldn’t say that.
— You mentioned that for the first time in a long time, there are many representatives from the national championship of Belgium in the national team; is local Belgian football on the rise?
— If we look right now at the table of the Belgian championship, the same "Cercle Brugge" will be fighting for survival, but they recently played in the Round of 16 of the Conference League. "Union" is in the playoffs of the Europa League, and "Brugge" is in the playoffs of the Champions League.
Maybe Belgian football is slightly on the rise, but if you take it globally, I wouldn’t say that; the level is gradually increasing.
«The national team can help De Bruyne and Doku improve their emotional state»
— The stars of "Man City," Kevin De Bruyne and Jeremy Doku, are not in good form, don’t you think?
— Maybe, but you understand that when you have bad times at the club, and you are a key player for the national team, it can be a new boost for your emotional state. Again, this is a new stage, an opportunity to improve results.
Whenever you arrive at the national team, coaches emphasize that you need to switch from club matters to national quickly. I think the national team can help these guys elevate their emotional state.
— They talked about midfielder Tielemans as a top player at the level of "Barcelona," "Bayern," and "Liverpool." Why hasn’t he taken a step forward?
— I honestly don’t know what he is lacking. At "Aston Villa," he definitely stands out, just like Onana. For me, Yuri Tielemans is a top-level player. Maybe there are some transfer deals or something else that prevents him from moving to a top club.
— Who poses the greatest threat among the Belgians?
— It seems to me that Doku. Considering what he does and how he plays. He makes a lot of mistakes, but one-on-one against him is very difficult. Doku can cause concern for defenders when he starts to dribble one-on-one. And for me, he is currently the most dangerous player among the Belgians.
— In attack, Lukaku?
— Lukaku closed Svatok at the Euro, if you remember; he played like a monster against Romelu. I’m 80% sure he will start.
«Last season, 'Brugge' was 19 points behind the leader and eventually became champion!»
— You have been in Belgium for the second season now. What characterizes local football?
— Its unpredictability. I like that the local football federation sees shortcomings and tries to fix them, for example, changing the competition format.
This season and next season, the format will be the same, and after a year, a new format is planned, as in Ukraine, that is, in two rounds. They will abolish the division into three groups that play playoffs among themselves. My team "Westerlo" has played in Group 2 for the second consecutive year. Essentially, from March to May, you play exhibition matches that have no impact on anything. The main battle is in playoff 1 for the championship and playoff 3 for survival.
— As I understand it, the winner of playoff 2 moves to the Conference League?
— Not directly, you still play a small final for the Conference League against a team from the "champion group."
— And what do you think about the Belgian championship? Is it interesting for an average viewer?
— Very! If you look at the table even now, "Genk" is the sole leader; last year it was "Union," but eventually, "Brugge," which was in 4th place in the main bracket and 19 points behind "Union," became champion! Points are divided in the playoffs by two.
A lot is decided in playoff 1. I think it will be just as interesting this year.
The tournament table itself is very tight. This year, the issue of who would play to avoid relegation was decided in the last match. It’s very interesting in this regard; every match is unpredictable.
— What else is interesting?
— A lot of quality footballers. In the last round, we played against the last team in the league ("Beerschot VA," — ed.), coached by Dirk Kuyt. From the quality of the play, I wouldn't say it's the last team.
You might go somewhere away and not know how you will play because there is a lot of competition. There are a lot of transfers happening in clubs. Not on a financial basis, but in terms of the number of footballers. In half a year, you might not see 60% of the team, and 40% could be newcomers. It’s interesting. They work that way and have some dividends.
«The change in the championship format in Ukraine is not timely, but the Ukrainian Cup is another matter»
— How intense is the tournament?
— The league itself is very physical. I recently looked at the statistics and saw that it ranks among the top five for work intensity among all championships.
There are many young talents who are really strong individually. In every team, you can find a player who can make a difference on the football field, as they say.
— You spoke about the format. Would it work in Ukraine?
— I am still a supporter of the classic format of two rounds. A similar "Belgian format" may be interesting for championships with a small number of teams.
I don’t think this format has prospects in Belgium. I believe that the decision to change the format is a correct step. Because the Netherlands tried this format too, I remember, about ten years ago, played one season, and decided that it wasn’t for them.
— Still, wouldn’t it raise interest in Ukrainian football?
— It depends on the football infrastructure in the country, the number of teams. It can’t be like, you know, "well, they play such a championship in Belgium, why shouldn’t we try in Ukraine?" You must base yourself on your own realities, on what you see. If there are really 10 financially stable teams in Ukraine, maybe such a format has its place.
If you look at the current championship in Ukraine, I won’t say who will be relegated and who will be in the transitional matches, it’s also interesting. I think a change in format is not timely right now.
— And what do you think about changing the format of the Ukrainian Cup?
— That’s another thing. The current format needs changes, in my opinion.
— Are you referring to the fact that "Dynamo" and "Shakhtar" start late?
— Yes. I’ve seen that in some countries, even amateurs participate in the local cup. You could try having the team that won the amateur cup play in the Ukrainian Cup (they do play — even finalists and sometimes semifinalists, — ed.). This could provide an opportunity for people from small towns to see the giants of Ukrainian football. This could breathe new life into the Ukrainian cup.
When I played for "Dynamo," we started from the Round of 16 — essentially, you have 3 matches, and you are in the final. This is not fair to the other teams. There may be questions regarding the calendar, but I still believe the format should change. As a viewer of Ukrainian football, I am not interested in the cup; I am more interested in the championship. I want the ratio to be equal.
«If I were younger, I would probably think about changing clubs»
— Let’s return to the main topic. Your prediction for the match Ukraine — Belgium?
— I can't really give predictions; I don’t like doing it and have never guessed. Like everyone else — I will watch the football and root for Ukraine.
— If you never guess, will you say Belgium will win?
— You think one thing and say another? (smiles). I suggest we just cheer for Ukraine together.
— You hardly play at "Westerlo." Why is that?
— It’s the head coach’s decision. In my position, a guy who is at a decent level is playing. At the beginning of the season, when I arrived later after the European Championship, I thought: now I will get in shape, and everything will be fine. The team gathered, and the championship started in 3 weeks. I began to gain form and got injured. That played its part.
The coach doesn’t like it when a player misses some time and needs to get back in shape. During that period, the team played excellently. It all painted the picture; the coach saw that with these players, he could achieve the desired result. I just accepted that and am working the same way as before. I am waiting for when I can help the team on the field.
— Did you discuss with the coach why you are not playing?
— Of course, there is a dialogue. I am not a young footballer and understand that when something is happening, you are in some way worse than the guy who is playing. I asked why, and they explained it to me. That will stay with me. I am trying to correct the situation, but it’s not happening as I would like.
— Are you satisfied with the current state of affairs?
— You see, if I were younger, I would probably think about changing clubs. I am focused on "Westerlo" and want to be here; the state of affairs doesn’t allow me to look ahead.
I still have a year left on my contract. I want to get playing time this year, and after the contract ends, I will decide.
Igor Lysenko
