Young Ukrainian forward Bohdan Popov shared his thoughts on his debut match with the first team of Italian Empoli, coinciding with a successful start to the 2025/2026 season.
Bohdan Popov— Bohdan, congratulations on your debut for the first team of Empoli and your first goal. What were your first emotions after the match?
— I didn’t notice how time passed. There was a great desire, and after the game, there was a special feeling of team success and joy. The game was tough, but we achieved our goal.
— Recall the moment when you learned you would go onto the field in the Italian Cup match. Did head coach Guido Paliuca give you any personal instructions?
— I saw that I was being prepared during training. In the last two friendly matches before the season, I played in the starting lineup. The coach talked a lot with me, pointing out mistakes. I was counting on starting, but I finally believed when I heard my name on the lineup.
— How do you evaluate your debut from a gameplay perspective? And how did the head coach assess your game after the match?
— I think I shouldn’t evaluate my game. The coach was positive. He pointed out shortcomings, but in general, he was satisfied.
— How often had you trained with the first team of Empoli before?
— I started last season with the first team, completed the full preparatory period, and until December, I trained with the first team, but played for Primavera (U-20 team). Then it was decided that I should focus on Primavera, where, by the way, I became the team’s top scorer.
— How different is the level of football in the youth and first teams? Was it difficult to adapt to adult football after the youth team?
— The difference is very significant; it’s impossible to compare. I don’t think the process of my adaptation to adult football is over. I am learning, working, and trying to progress. I am in the process and understand this.
— Last season you scored ten goals for the youth team. Are you satisfied with this result?
— I believe that one should never be satisfied with oneself. I think I could have scored more.
— Unfortunately, the first team of Empoli was relegated from Serie A last season. What do you think was lacking?
— It might sound funny, but we weren’t always lucky. We started well, played freely, but lost points where we should have taken them 100%. Then injuries happened, all together. But I think we need to think about today and solve the tasks at hand.
— How do you see your prospects in the new season? Will you continue playing for the U-20 team of Empoli, or will you be more often in the first team lineup in Serie B?
— I have been told that I am a first-team player, so I will try to confirm that.
— You haven’t been called up to the youth team of Ukraine for a while—why do you think that is? Have you spoken recently with the head coach of the youth team of Ukraine, Dmytro Mykhailenko, or anyone from his staff?
— Why I haven’t been called up—that question is not for me. Currently, over the last several months, Dmytro Mykhailenko has been in constant contact with me. He regularly asks about what is going on.
By the way, last week, the club received an invitation to the national team for friendly matches that will take place in early September in Spain.
Andriy Kaplun
