Yesterday the Ukrainian youth team played a draw with France (3:3)
Head coach of the youth team of Ukraine U-21 Ruslan Rotan commented on the draw with France (3:3) in qualifying for the European Championship 2023.
After yesterday’s match, Ukraine lost its chances for first place in the qualifying group, but guaranteed itself a second place, which allows it to compete for the Euro in the playoffs.
– Ruslan Petrovich, are you satisfied with the result and the performance of your team in the confrontation with France?
– The result, of course, is not. You should have seen the eyes of the players after the game. The team gave their all. We really wanted to win. In the situation that our football is now in, my players, I think, have demonstrated meaningful football and have shown character.
– It is noticeable that our youth team has added in physical readiness …
– I agree. At the training camp, we did not overload the guys, the main attention was paid to sprints and tactics, hence the result of this work.
— Did the French surprise you, and what did you fail to implement in the last game?
– According to all statistics, France is the number one team in Europe among youth teams. But I’m happy for my guys, who in the match with players of the level of the Champions League acted on an equal footing, and sometimes even surpassed the opponent. In the dressing room, I asked my guys not to lower the bar any further.
– After the match, representatives of the French team entered the locker room of the Ukrainian national team. What did they say?
“They expressed their support to all of Ukraine, assured that France is going through with us, and presented T-shirts to their national team.
– The final match with Armenia is ahead. The chances of becoming the best second team in the qualifying tournament are missed. How will you set up the team for this game?
“Again, the focus will now be on recovery. Definitely, there will be a rotation. And I have no doubt that the guys are professionals and will give all their strength to win. The team strives to close the qualifying round with a meaningful game and the maximum result.
– Will the fight in Armenia be like a bridge to the playoffs of the qualifier?
— Quite right. As I already said, there will be a rotation, we’ll see how the next reserve works.
Ruslan Rotan’s team will play with Armenia on Sunday, June 12. The match starts at 18:00 Kyiv time.
Source: Sportarena
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