Ukrainian specialist Yuriy Hura assessed the chances of Ukrainian clubs in today’s repeat European Cup matches:
— I will start with my beloved “Oleksandriya,” as I have spent a long time defending its colors and later leading it. Of course, the defeat of the “city team” last week in the Conference League qualifying round against Serbian “Partizan” −0:2 was a surprise for me. Oleksandriya deserved a better fate, although they have their own guilt.
— What do you mean?
— Based on the goal-scoring chances created in Katowice, the “city team” had the advantage, but they had problems with realization, unlike the guests. Secondly, the nominal hosts were often let down by game discipline. There were instances when the “city team” simply failed to return to their half of the field after prolonged attacks, which the opponents took advantage of.
— What do the Oleksandriya players need to do in Belgrade to bring back the intrigue?
— First of all, score an early goal. There are many young players in “Partizan,” and they will start to get nervous and make mistakes. I am convinced that the “city team” has worked well on correcting their mistakes, and their actions will create a coherent impression. I lean towards the idea that in regular time, “Oleksandriya” will level the score to 2:0, and in overtime, they will snatch victory.
— What scenario will the matches involving the other two Ukrainian teams follow?
— I am impressed with the game of “Shakhtar” under the leadership of the new head coach Arda Turan. It feels like there is a great microclimate in the team, everyone is trying very hard. I think in Krakow, the competition will take place at mutual courses, and it will all end with a victory for the “miners” with a minimal score of 1:0.
— What can you say about “Polissia,” which managed to lose in the Conference League qualifying round to humble “Santa Coloma” — 1:2?
— This is a serious blow to the image of the Zhytomyr club, but not everything is lost for them yet. In Andorra, much will depend on their attitude. If today “Polissia” treats the match as a final, then everything will be fine. I hope that Ruslan Rotan’s charges will prevail — 2:0 and avoid disgrace.
Andriy Pysarenko
