Goalkeeper of Donetsk "Shakhtar" Dmytro Riznyk — about the upcoming matches of the national team of Ukraine in the qualifying stage for the 2026 World Cup against France and Azerbaijan.
Dmytro Riznyk (photo: shakhtar.com)— There will be two tough games, but we are focusing only on victory. We will see how it goes. Our goal is to qualify for the World Cup, and we will work selflessly to achieve this aim.
— France — one of the top teams in the world. How to defeat them?
— Of course, this is a strong team with top players in every position, but we can play against and defeat anyone. Our coach, Serhiy Stanislavovych, will analyze the opponent’s weak points and explain how to act against them on the field.
— How is it working with Serhiy Rebrov?
— He is a good coach and person; it is nice working with him, but we don’t spend too much time together, only once every three months when the national team gathers. Serhiy Stanislavovych always demands maximum commitment from us on the field, constantly reminding us that we are playing not only for ourselves but also for our country.
— You have very strong competitors in the national team, Anatoliy Trubin from "Benfica" and Andriy Lunin from "Real," who was called up after the injury of the Madrid player Georgii Bushchan. How do you compete and communicate with them?
— Absolutely normally, we communicate well with the guys. Healthy competition is only a plus for the team and the players, as it helps you grow constantly and makes you want to prove you are the best.
— You debuted for the national team under Oleksandr Petrakov. Vasylovych is known for his sharp remarks and sense of humor. How was it working with him?
— I am immensely grateful to Oleksandr Vasylovych for giving me a chance and calling me up to the national team. It was good working with him; I have nothing bad to say.
— Who is currently the leader of the national team?
— Many guys can take responsibility and say the right words in the locker room and on the field. I would like to mention Zinchenko, Zabarniy, and Matviyenko. The team always listens to them. Zinchenko constantly jokes when we are traveling on the bus, so you definitely won’t get bored with him (laughs).
— How do you assess Zinchenko’s transfer to "Nottingham Forest"?
— I wish him only success. Sasha has a huge amount of experience, so I am sure he will help "Nottingham." And it will only be a plus for the national team if Zinchenko is playing regularly for his club.
Andriy Piskun
