The head coach of the Ukraine U-20 national team Dmytro Mykhailenko spoke about the difficulties he faced while forming the team composition for the World Cup in Chile.
— I want the players of this team to play more, to have minutes in the UPL. This is very important. When you play, you are in shape. And in general, a footballer for such competitions should already play at an adult level. Unfortunately, we have a group of players who definitely lack playing minutes.
Secondly, there are certain concerns that some clubs are not releasing players. We have already received final confirmation regarding Artem Stepanov. Unfortunately, the club did not allow him to go. Artem wanted to and he was very motivated. We spoke with the sports director, with the coach, but the club did not allow it.
Today we will know the decision of another club regarding another player (the interview was recorded before the announcement of the Ukraine national team roster for the U-20 World Cup — ed.). We hope that everyone will be healthy and that nothing will happen during this week before departure. We are taking just the right number of players. So we want everyone to be alive, healthy, and all to travel.
— The World Cup takes place outside of FIFA dates. Was it difficult to negotiate with clubs to release players?
— The issue is not even about FIFA dates. The championship lasts a month — and it never happens on FIFA dates. It partially covers them, but still part of the championship falls outside of these limits. It seems the whole time it has taken place in the summer during vacations.
And now it is held in the fall when teams are playing their most important games. So, of course, many clubs will not release their players. We just met with the coach of the Moroccan national team. They played a friendly match. He has the same problem. Many players are not released to the national team from leading countries — from France, Spain.
We are communicating with clubs, with sports directors, with agents and players. We ask them to push. Some clubs are accommodating. But there are teams that take a clear position. In Ukraine, everything is much easier. It seems to me that everything is going well for us for now.
— A similar story happened last year when the Ukrainian national team had difficulties gathering a squad for the Olympics. Can you tell us in more detail which clubs release footballers and which do not want to?
— In Ukraine, all clubs release us. We have no problems with Ukrainian clubs — everyone is going. So far, there have been no refusals.
— So the problems arise with foreign clubs?
— We are leaving on September 17 to adapt. And the championship starts on the 27th. Clubs say: “We will not release on the 17th, we want it later.” And we are also not interested in having a player arrive three days before the game and waking up at night.
It takes a certain time for adaptation. I think a week at least is needed to adapt to the time zone. It’s spring there now. But the problem is not in the climate, but specifically in the time zone.
— How many players will you take to Chile?
— According to the regulations, you can take 18 outfield players and three goalkeepers. Many teams take 25 players and then send back those who did not make the roster. But this all costs money, and it’s long and inconvenient to fly. Therefore, taking players just to send them back is a questionable idea. We are going right away with a final roster of 18+3.
Iryna Koziupa
