The blue-yellows took third place in group C qualification
Midfielder Ukrainian national team Alexander Zinchenko commented on the match with Italy (0:0) in qualifying European Championship 2024.
“What impressions can there be? We didn’t qualify for the European Championships, but we still have a chance to make it through the playoffs. We hoped to get a positive result. I will say that in addition to the result, we managed to show a decent game against the current European champion.”
“The most important thing – and we talked about this with the guys before the game – is to do everything so that, despite the result, we can look each other in the eyes, shake hands with dignity and say that we did everything. This is what we did today, but the result, unfortunately, is not in our favor.”
“The Italians caused us a lot of problems in the first game when they burst in from deep between the central and wing backs. We analyzed this and the coaching staff decided to make changes. They had much fewer chances in the second match.”
“Of course, I would like to thank everyone for the support throughout the qualifying round. Yes, we didn’t come out directly, but we still have a chance.”
“I would also like to thank the Ukrainian Armed Forces for giving their lives and risking it for the sake of our freedom. Thanks to them, we have a chance to play football. We look to the future with positivity. I think that we have a good team and good chances to reach the Euro.”
Ukraine took third place in Group C with 14 points, losing to Italy in head-to-head matches. Let us remind you that in Milan, Squadra Azzurra won with a score of 2:1. In addition to the Italians, England, which took first position, received a direct ticket to Euro 2024 from Group C.
Sergei Rebrov’s team will now compete for access to Euro 2024 in the Nations League playoffs. The blue-and-yellows will be waiting for the “final four” of division A or division B – this will be decided by a draw.
If they get into the playoffs of Division B, the Ukrainian team’s opponents will be Bosnia and Herzegovina and Israel, as well as Finland or Iceland. If we get into the playoffs of Division A, our team will have to compete with Poland, Estonia, as well as Wales or Croatia.
Source: Sportarena
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