Former Ukrainian national team player Yevhen Levchenko assessed the chances of the Ukrainian national team to surpass Belgium in the Nations League playoffs.
Yevhen Levchenko— Yevhen, I am curious to hear your opinion on the current Belgian national team?
— I think Garcia analyzed the current state of affairs and summoned those who are ready to fight for the Red Devils for the match against Ukraine.
— New faces have come in place of the golden generation.
— You have seen these players and hoped they would achieve something great at the national team level, but that did not happen. Garcia made it clear that no one gets called up to the national team based on past merits. Yes, Courtois is returning. Thibaut said in one of his recent interviews that he is open to criticism. There are De Bruyne and Lukaku, whom the new coach wants to look at.
For us, it might be an advantage that Belgium has not played any games with the new coach yet, but enough time has passed since the match at Euro, and this is already a very different Belgium from the one we remember.
— Who can become the new leader of Belgium?
— Witsel, Mertens, Benteke are not called up, instead, in the list, we can see 16-year-old Jorhti Mokio (Ajax). He is already a developed player at such a young age, Nicolas Raskin (Rangers), Brian Heynen (Genk). Captain of Brugge Hans Vanaken is having a great season, experiencing a second youth at 32. Garcia made it clear that the doors of the national team are open to players from the Pro League as well.
— The greatest success of coach Garcia — the golden double of Lille during Eden Hazard's era. What sort of coach is he today?
— You wouldn't call Garcia an outstanding coach. A big plus is that he immediately started looking for common ground with the leaders, and it seems to be going well. Courtois, De Bruyne, Lukaku have come to an understanding with him, and there is no longer a toxic atmosphere within. He needs to make the stars understand that the youth is starting to knock on the door of the national team, and for them, this is their last chance to hope for something with the national team.
— Nevertheless, another Belgian goalkeeper, who played at Euro 2024, went against Garcia...
— Castellets tried to catch the hype, understanding that going to the national team while playing in Saudi Arabia would not make sense. Garcia is not obsessed with tactical moments, but his ability to connect with players can help them express themselves positively. The mission of uniting the new generation with the departing golden generation has fallen on his shoulders.
— Does the change of coach in Belgium play into our hands?
— The new coach can give players the impulse to show themselves, the desire to prove their abilities. This always positively affects the microclimate. How long this effect can last depends on the coach. But one must understand that there can also be downsides.
— For example?
— Time. In national teams, you cannot rehearse in a few days what you want. Obviously, results will take priority, and it would be good for Garcia to start his history in Belgium well.
— Has Rebrow called up all the strongest players as of now?
— I understand that coaches see things somewhat differently than we do from the outside. When you call up an experienced player who lacks regular practice, he may bring benefit to the national team due to his desire. Let’s be honest, not all players from UPL feel good after winter training, and this mini-training camp in Spain was supposed to show who is better prepared at this stage.
— There is a situation with Konoplya, who sits behind Vinicius at Shakhtar. Isn't it logical to call up Krupsky, who has more playing time?
— We still have some notes of conservatism, and it is somewhat difficult for players who are doing well to get their chance to be called to the national team now.
— Is there logic in inviting Nazarina, who sat at Shakhtar for a year, than to try some conditional Kocherhin with his background?
— I believe that our legionnaires, who are doing well outside of Ukraine, deserve to be in the national team camp. There has been a lot of talk about Kocherhin, and Vlad himself publicly expressed his hope to receive an invitation. Such players need to be monitored. Perhaps Rebrow is betting on proven fighters now and doesn't want to risk integrating new players into his football whom he cannot observe.
— In the context of the additional call-up of Svatok, should we consider MLS players in terms of logistical issues?
— The experience of South Americans in Eredivisie shows that it's not difficult for them. If a player plays regularly, suits the coach, and has experience. We remember well how Svatok played excellently at Euro personally against Lukaku.
— Who in these matches can make a name for themselves?
— The work ethic of Zabarniy inspires me. It is clear that Dovbik will not be available for the first match, but we all know that in a decisive moment, Yaremchuk can deliver the match of his life. It will be interesting to see Svatok, who played healthily against Lukaku at Euro. Sudakov against such opponents might remind Europe of himself. I hope to see Yarmoluk's debut.
I went to the Arsenal and PSV game and observed Zina. Even if he is playing little at the club now, in these games Sasha with his experience will be useful. These matches are a litmus test to understand what level we are currently at.
— Given the strategy for the two games, should we return to the scheme that worked at Euro?
— They will dominate, and we will most likely play on the counter.
— Our media has started rumors that Rebrow is supposedly wanted to be removed from the powerful offices of UAF. How should this be regarded when negativity is artificially ramped up?
— A complete nonsense. We see that Rebrow has a credit of trust. Another portion of fabrications from pseudo-experts.
