Former Ukrainian national team footballer Yevhen Levchenko shared his thoughts on Serhiy Rebrov’s team’s performance in the 2026 World Cup qualifiers and assessed the 'blue-yellows' prospects in the March playoff matches.
Yevhen Levchenko— Yevhen, Ukraine is in the playoffs for the World Cup, but the problems with the game haven’t disappeared...
— Our national team has gradually accustomed us to roller coasters, pulling themselves out of difficult situations. From the first to the last minute, it was clear that we wouldn’t give away the game with Iceland. It was our evening. Such victories always boost the team’s confidence when you can even pull through such tough matches.
— Who can be singled out individually from the game with Iceland?
— Trubin’s save was absolutely magnificent! Tolya pulled us into these playoffs by the ears. If we had conceded then, I don’t know how it would have affected us. It would have been hard to change anything in 10 minutes. The match was nerve-wracking, as always, but we played with desire and commitment for this game. I criticized the national team a lot for the lack of emotion in their eyes.
Tsigankov came on and reminded everyone of what a qualified player he is when his troubles don’t get the better of him. It was one of Viktor’s brightest performances, proving he can play at the top level.
— Didn’t it seem that Zabarniy’s performance in PSG negatively affected his actions?
— Illya has accustomed us to a certain level of stability, but let’s not forget he’s only 23. He’s trying to find himself in Luis Enrique’s football. This is something that Zabarniy didn’t have at Dynamo or Bournemouth.
— How can the Hutsulyak phenomenon be described for this team?
— Every national team has a player who turns into a machine for the national team when things aren’t going well at the club. Fresh Hutsulyak came on against the tired Icelandic defenders, who our attack group had been exhaustingly chasing.
— Was it utopian to expect points from France?
— I understand the coaching staff put everything on the game with Iceland. Most of the game plan worked, but everyone kept the second match in mind.
— Malinovskyi and Konoplia won’t be able to play in the first playoff match. Can these guys be equally replaced?
— With Malinovskyi’s return, the national team managed to find some balance. When there’s a guy on the field who can take the game on himself and be the coach’s assistant right on the pitch. Ruslan does a lot for the national team not only in playing terms but also mentally.
Konoplia, with his focus on the opponent’s goal, also played an important role in the game’s construction, but there will be 4 months to think about who can replace Yukhym and Ruslan for the first play-off match.
— Should we expect the appearance of newcomers in the team?
— I always support new players having a chance, although for us debutants only appear when there’s no one else to choose from at all. Yes, it will all depend on who will be in what stage before the playoffs, who from the potential candidates will manage to play well. Although, to my mind, our players are looked down upon in certain championships. You need to play in Ukraine or a top-5 to be visible. That’s not right, I believe.
— Do you have any personal preferences for the playoff draw?
— If you have your own playing pattern, you can play with any team.
