Former goalkeeper of the Ukrainian national team Maksym Levytskyi shared his expectations for today’s 2026 World Cup qualifier match France — Ukraine.
Maksym Levytskyi— Maksym Anatoliyovych, what are your expectations from the France — Ukraine match?
— It’s hard to say, since it’s football. Of course, the class of French players is higher than ours, but as Valeriy Lobanovskyi said: «Order always beats class.» Therefore, Ukraine has chances for a positive result, and they are not as illusory as they seem.
— What do we need to do to earn points against France?
— The level and experience of the Ukrainian national team’s players are such that they know what needs to be done on the field. I hope they will fulfill all the coaching staff’s plans. If our players are responsible from the first to the last second of the match, then order can beat class.
Let’s recall the UPL. Who could have believed a few years ago that the team from Cherkasy, LNZ, would beat Dynamo in Kyiv? But it happened. LNZ players fulfilled the coach’s requirements, and order beat class.
— The Ukrainian national team again has a number of injuries. Dovbyk, Brazhko, and Zinchenko will not be able to help us in the game against France. How significant are these losses for our team?
— It’s hard to say. There are many examples when players who replaced the injured showed themselves in the best light. I’ll give my own example. When I was the second goalkeeper at Tavria, before the Ukrainian Cup semifinal, the main goalkeeper Oleksandr Petrov suffered a joint injury, and I had to take the goal. After that, I became the main player.
So everything is in the feet and heads of the players. Those who do not have much playing practice will have the opportunity to prove themselves. I think there are no irreplaceable players in the Ukrainian national team.
— Which of our players do you expect to shine in Paris?
— I would like the whole team to light up, and I’d be glad for each.
— Let’s talk about your native position — goalkeeper. Rebrov did not call up Lunin from Real, but invited Volynets from Polissya. Were you surprised by this choice?
— When you’re not in the team but watch matches on TV, it’s hard to understand the psychological state and physical condition of the players. Rebrov made this decision, and he is responsible for the result, so I cannot comment on it.
My opinion is that Lunin was not called up due to lack of playing practice. He does not play for Real, and this reduces his chances of joining the national team.
— Is Trubin the undisputed number 1 in the national team now, or can Riznyk compete?
— Comparing the levels of championships, I would prefer Trubin. Anatoliy plays in a strong championship and plays in the Champions League.
— What should Lunin do? With Alonso’s arrival in Real, Andriy doesn’t get chances at all. Should he stay at the Madrid club or look for another team?
— That’s a valid question. When Toschak, the former Real coach, came to Saint-Étienne, I was at a crossroads and didn’t know what to do. I talked to my then-agent Kostya Sarsaniya, and he said: «Let’s wait. If you don’t get a chance, we’ll wait until the transfer window and find you another team.» I got a chance to prove myself, took it, and became a key player for Saint-Étienne.
As for Lunin, Courtois is much more experienced. When I watch the Belgian play, I understand that Lunin has little to expect. Counting on an injury is not humane, and the chances are slim.
— Imagine you are a talented goalkeeper in your prime, like in 2000−2001. And you are in Lunin’s situation. What would you do?
— I don’t know how I would behave in Andriy’s place. Real is Real. He had chances when Courtois was injured, and Lunin led Real to the Champions League final, but in the decisive match, Thibaut was back. I won’t give Lunin any advice; let his heart guide him. It’s his life and career.
— Say a few words about Zabarnyi at PSG. Ilya started well, but then had a match against Bayer where he conceded a penalty and a sending-off, and now his press is not very good.
— Ilya came to PSG from a team that didn’t reach for the stars. Now he must reach this level. Not even four months have passed since his transfer. Maybe Zabarnyi hasn’t become his own in the team yet. Chevalier was a leader at Lille but hasn’t become one at PSG yet, as seen from his matches, where he makes mistakes. Although he is native French.
So Zabarnyi needs to endure this period and fit into the team, and he has the coach’s trust. Footballers live from match to match. When you play great, you’re celebrated, but if you make a mistake, you’re spat on and oppressed.
— Does Zabarnyi’s level match a club like PSG?
— I don’t see that in technical-tactical actions, he differs from other PSG players. Look at the last PSG match with Lyon and the childish mistakes the team’s captain Marquinhos made. I can’t say Zabarnyi is failing at PSG, although he’s not shining either. Ilya is a defender, not an attacking player, and in Bournemouth, he wasn’t a team leader either, but he maintained the level. I have a positive impression of Zabarnyi at PSG. Closer to spring, he will play much better and more efficiently.
— We have to play a crucial match against Iceland in three days. Do you think Rebrov won’t release a semi-reserve squad against France to give leaders a rest?
— The situation is not very good, but on the other hand, if we beat France, the task for this part will be 95% complete. The coaching staff has experience in urgent recovery of players, both psychologically and physically. I really hope they succeed this time too.
— What can you say about Ukraine under Rebrov, as many fans criticize the team and almost demand the head coach’s dismissal?
— I’ve seen different opinions on social media. The formula is simple. When I read comments after the victory over Iceland (5:3), it seemed like we won the World Cup. When we failed, there was negativity. It’s always like that with fans.
My opinion is that the players Rebrov has show 50−70% of their potential. That’s my visual feeling.
— Should Rebrov stay in the national team, or does it depend on whether we qualify for the World Cup? If we do, then he fulfilled the task and should continue working, but if not, then there’s nothing to talk about — dismissal?
— Most likely, yes. As Lobanovskyi said: «The result is on the scoreboard.» If the task is accomplished, then he gets a carte blanche; if not, the answer is obvious.
— Your prediction for the France — Ukraine match?
— I’ll predict a high-scoring draw — 1:1.
Andrii Piskun
