The Ukrainian from Empoli admits that he doesn’t know how he would react if he saw a Russian on the field
Midfielder Empoli Victor Kovalenko in an interview with the Italian press, he spoke on difficult topics – about the war in Ukraine, his family and friends, as well as his attitude towards Russian football players.
“Family? We’re a little spread out. Dad, whose name is the same as mine, joined me in Empoli. Mom Lyudmila decided to stay in Kherson. My brother Dmitry moved to Germany and, fortunately, works there. My girlfriend Anastasia is usually here. in Empoli, but has now returned to Kyiv to visit her family for a few days: thirty hours by bus. Departures from Florence every week. I’m not worried, the situation is under control in Kyiv.”
“I haven’t been to Ukraine for three years. I miss home so much. Last time I organized a nice dinner with friends. I was lucky: professional football players bring prestige to the country, and are not called upon to fight. But instead, non-professionals are fighting.”
“Russian football players? I don’t know how I would react if I saw a Russian on the field. It’s not their fault, but I wish they had used social media and popularity to spread anti-war messages.”
27-year-old Kovalenko has been playing in Italy since the beginning of 2021. Victor moved from Shakhtar to Atalanta, but in all that time he played only three minutes for the club from Bergamo. He was loaned out to Spezia twice, where he made 47 appearances (one goal and five assists) over two seasons.
The midfielder is spending the 2023/24 season on another loan – in Empoli. As part of the Tuscan club, the Ukrainian appeared as a substitute four times and managed to score a goal that brought his team victory over the reigning champion Napoli.
In Serie A there is one representative of Russia – Alexey Miranchuk, also belonging to Atalanta. Victor met with him at a club from Bergamo in 2021.
In the early hours of February 24, 2022, Russia launched rocket and air strikes on most Ukrainian cities and then launched a full-scale military invasion. The war against Russia has continued for the 637th day.
Source: Sportarena
I’m Scott Moore, a professional writer and journalist based in the US. I’ve been writing for various publications for over 8 years now, and have been working as an author at athletistic for the past five years. My work has been featured by some of the leading sports websites and magazines across Europe.
