Sparrow: Dovbik and Mudrik are the future of our team. But while they are still on their way to the best moments of their careers

Former striker of the Ukrainian national team and Donetsk Shakhtar Andriy Vorobey commented on the performance of Oleksandr Petrakov’s team in the League of Nations especially for the Sport Arena.

“How will I evaluate the matches of the Ukrainian national team in the three June matches of the League of Nations? In principle, in these three matches, the Ukrainian team looked good. In principle, these were good fights. At the same time, in some games, the coaching staff looked at the nearest reserve of the team. Therefore, these matches went to the benefit of the Ukrainian team. Of course, I would like the interval between fights to be longer. Since playing three matches in a week is a very tough schedule. And this applies not only to our players. This applies to all teams. Many were already mentally on vacation, and they needed to play matches. Therefore, if the games were in a week, then it would be nice. But, I repeat, these were good matches that benefited our players.

Ukraine is leading in group B with seven points, what are the chances of winning in the quartet? The whole fight is still ahead. There are still two matches to be played against Scotland and the second leg against Armenia. So it’s hard to talk about it now.

Will Petrakov remain at the helm of the Ukrainian national team? I think it would be logical to leave Petrakov as the coach of the Ukrainian team. In such a difficult situation, he was almost able to lead the team to the World Cup. He managed to take the national team to the playoffs of World Cup qualification, then there was a good game with Scotland. But somewhere unlucky in a duel against Wales. But then the Nations League matches showed that the coaching staff knows how to communicate with the players and find the right solutions. Therefore, I see no reason to change the head coach.

What do I think about Dovbik and Mudrik, who began to appear more often in the first team? As for Mudrik, he is a very talented, extraordinary and fast footballer. Mudrik makes good decisions on the field. But he is still a bit raw and young to do what we want him to do. Yes, he performs good actions, but at the decisive moment he lacks the finishing pass. He does everything super, but the last step is missing. This suggests that he is still a young guy. He does not yet have this experience and this zest to concentrate on the last moment and give an accurate pass or score a goal. He had those moments, but he didn’t do it. Although there were super-situations when he beat three or four people, but there was no effective ending.

As for Dovbik, he really scored two goals in the last five matches. But, in my opinion, he is not physically ready yet. It’s hard for him, because we are well aware that he missed a lot, did not train, like many other guys. So it’s hard for him. Even in the match with Ireland (1:1), in which Dovbik scored, as for me, he looked unconvincing. But he scored a goal! And then to him, as a striker, there are no questions.

Dovbik and Mudrik are the future of our team. But for now, they are still on their way to the best moments of their careers. Rumor has it that Dovbik could move to Torino and Mudrik to Bayer? You can write whatever you want, but when they pass, then we will talk. God bless! They need to go – and one, and the second. They will be more likely to develop. If they go to these teams, it will be a plus for them and for our team.

What can I say about Andriy Pyatov, who ended his career in the Ukrainian national team? Such people deserve only praise and applause. He had a good career in the national team, he is a good guy. And this is not flattery. Andrew is a really nice guy. He was not seen in any incidents. Therefore, Pyatov is truly a legend of Ukrainian football, indeed one of the leaders of Ukrainian football. Such people always need a standing ovation, fans will always remember his performances. He forever inscribed his name in the history of Ukrainian football, as he contributed to the development of Ukrainian football.”