Former forward of Odesa’s ‘Chornomorets’ Ivan Shariy assessed the prospects of his former team in the fight for survival in the UPL based on the current season results (after 23 matches, the ‘sailors’ occupy the penultimate, 15th place in the standings of the Ukrainian championship, leading the last-placed ‘Inhulets’ by two points, but they have one game in hand).
“It’s very disappointing to see what’s happening with ‘Chornomorets’. You look at all this and understand: that’s it, the team is ‘extinguished’.
Can ‘Chornomorets’ save itself from parting ways with the Premier League? I’ll say this: nothing is impossible. That’s the first thing. But secondly, I don’t see any potential in the ‘sailors’ that could help them win and earn points. It’s very, very difficult.
I would really like ‘Chornomorets’ to rise from the danger zone and remain in the elite. And then, I hope that a team will be gathered in Odesa that will be at least capable of staying in the middle of the Ukrainian Premier League standings. I’ll say it again: it’s very disappointing for such a team and such a football city. But let’s hope that ‘Chornomorets’ will take advantage of the chances to maintain their status in the UPL. As they say, hope dies last. There is still a quarter of the tournament distance ahead, so nothing is impossible.
It seems that the ‘Chornomorets’ team is now needed by no one. One thing is clear: the club needs to find an owner who will truly care about the team and do everything possible for ‘Chornomorets’ to be revived and fight for high places.
It gives the impression that ‘Chornomorets’ is on life support. Very, very disappointing. This has never happened before in the era of the USSR championship or in the independent championship of Ukraine. And what can you do? Probably nothing,” Shariy said.