Rotan: Mudrik and Vanat have certain health problems. These are the two players that are in question

Head coach youth team of Ukraine Ruslan Rotan shared his expectations from the match against Croatia in the first round European Championship 2023. The mentor also spoke about the personnel situation in the team.

“Tomorrow’s game will probably be exciting for all teams, but I think we have come a long way to get to this tournament. To show that we are really a team that will give all their strength and skills on the football field for the will to win,” Rotan said.

“The fact that the Croatian national team will surprise us is something we don’t even doubt. Indeed it is a problem [для нас] after the change of coach. This team hasn’t played a single match yet, so we’ll see what the tactics are. But we also prepared [смотрели] what tactics this coach used when he worked with Iran, in previous teams. I think that the Croatian national team, no matter who is in charge, is a strong team with strong players individually. I think we need to be mentally ready for the match. I believe that our team will be ready for this, and tomorrow’s match will judge who prepared for this and how.

“Players from the national team? As for the fact that they adjusted – there is no such thing. They have been with us for a long time, they understand our requirements. The fact that they are “empty”, “squeezed out” after three matches is true. If we add that two players arrived injured, then this is really a problem. But we have a team, a team. I think that we will adequately replace the players in these matches.”

“Mudrik has certain health problems. There is a bit of overload for the young player. The injury is to the muscles. Now our doctors are working with physiotherapists to get Mikhail back on his feet. God forbid that he appeared on the field. Vladislav Vanat has some problems, also related to overloads. Let’s say it’s the two players that are questionable.”

“And one injury we have, unfortunately, is severe, this is Nikolai Mikhailenko, who is not an assistant for us at this tournament. We want to support Nikolay, and tomorrow’s match is important for us to fight for him too. He is a very important player for us both in the team and on the football field.”

“Trubin? We will have more conversation with him ahead. If motivation and renewal are successful, then he has a chance [выйти] for tomorrow’s match.

The Ukrainian national team U-21 got into group B at Euro 2023, where they will play with Romania, Croatia and Spain. The two best teams from each quartet will advance to the playoffs of the European Youth Championship.

The tournament for the blue-yellows will start on June 21 with a game against Croatia. The match with Romania will take place on June 24, and with Spain on June 27. All Group B matches will be held in Bucharest (Romania).

Euro 2023 will take place from 21 June to 8 July. Note that the top three teams of the youth Euro 2023 (except France and England) will receive tickets to the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris.