The head coach of the Ukrainian national team speaks about the Euro 2024 qualifying playoff matches
On Friday, March 8th, coach of the national team of Ukraine Sergei Rebrov announced team’s application for the March playoff matches of the qualification for the European Championship 2024spoke about his choice, and also shared his opinions on the resumption of the U-21 championship in Ukraine, the country’s Olympic team and the departure of Ukrainian players abroad.
About the opponent
“The group’s fifth place is not what the Bosnians deserved. Now the team – it seems, has a third coach in a year, he was doing a rotation. We watched many matches of the Bosnia and Herzegovina national team. Who will play against us? In Bosnia, most of the footballers play in Europe, only one plays in Bosnia. This is a strong team that we must be prepared for. We must think about ourselves. If we don’t show some game, there’s no need to talk too much about the opponent. This is a serious opponent and we must properly prepare for this game.
Being a favorite in the match with Bosnia doesn’t bother me. The main thing is that it does not interfere with the players. I remember when Italy were favorites, we had to win this match in the last minute. The game can turn out differently. Like yesterday, when Dynamo received a penalty in the last minute. We need to think about ourselves and prepare well. First of all, mentally. These matches will decide the fate of our country at the Euro. But on the other hand, we have experience in such games. This is not the first time for football players. I’m sure they’re ready. We will play away – it’s always difficult. Now many players with experience of playing on the international stage have been called up. I have confidence in these players.
I considered the schemes of the game against Bosnia. But now is definitely not the time to talk about it. It is important for me that the players approach the training camp without injuries. When they arrive at the national team camp, we will assess their condition. We don’t have the players right now to use 3-4 tactics. We’ll see and decide before the game.”
About Zinchenko
“I’m in touch with Alexander Zinchenko, we communicate a lot. Aware of his injury. I hope he will be in Arsenal’s squad in the near future. Whether he will be in the lineup is up to the coach to decide. He will have two more games. The main thing is that he is already in the general group.
I am grateful to the clubs that gave us the opportunity to gather earlier, because the Bosnia and Herzegovina national team meets on March 18, but they only have one player from the national championship. We have time and players playing abroad. Many matches are being postponed in England, and only Mudrik will come to us on March 17. The others will arrive earlier.
About Yarmolenko and Stepanenko
“It’s a pity that Andrei Yarmolenko did not have time to recover. He really wanted to help the national team and Dynamo, but, unfortunately, now he is not in optimal condition. I wish him a speedy recovery.
I spoke with Taras Stepanenko. I wish him a speedy recovery. Perhaps we’ll challenge him for the second match. But everything depends on the dynamics of its renewal. Vladimir Brazhko deserves this challenge with his play for Dynamo, where he has constant practice.
Time moves forward, we need to attract young players to the national team. This is a challenge for both Brazhko and the youth football players: they must see that we are observing and will continue to involve youth team players in working with the first team.”
About goalkeepers
“I’m very pleased that Lunin has playing practice. Yesterday I watched the Benfica match. All our main goalkeepers have practice. The question of the goalkeeper who will play in Bosnia will be decided later.”
About forwards
“I’m pleased that Yaremchuk has game practice. He works hard, I’m glad he scored. Dovbik, unfortunately, does not score, but I see how he works for the team. The team trusts him. Let’s see who will play in the first meeting. I am pleased that Sikan plays in his position; previously he was also used as a winger. I like his desire.
It is important for me to have diverse players. Vanat is not like Dovbik or Yaremchuk, he can do different things. That’s why we’re calling up a little more players. You don’t know what will happen in the game when you need to improve it: first or in the second half. I saw Vanat in the game and in training. I’m sure he will help us.
Olympic team
“We all must help Ruslan Rotan so that he has a rival team. This is our first time at the Olympics, we don’t have that kind of experience. At the same time, Shakhtar and Dynamo will play decisive matches. We need to talk to clubs, both ours and foreign ones, to give the opportunity to gather the strongest. The Olympics are an important tournament, and every appearance of Ukraine on the international stage is very important. I think it’s also important for clubs that their players are represented at a tournament like the Olympics.”.
About the U-21 Championship
“When I gave the interview, everyone started asking the clubs what they thought about it. But when I talk to coaches, almost all of them are in favor. They understand that the U-21s are a team from which they can take players who will help them in the future. On the other hand, there are teams that use U-19 players.
This is my wish, I want to bring this championship back and I want us to have more young players who get practice in the U-21. How are we going to do this? I talk with coaches and club leaders. Now I am sure that this is impossible, but for the future… This is my opinion and we will continue to talk and resolve this issue. This is important for me, and I think it is important for the Ukrainian youth team.
On the departure of young players
“It is important for Ukraine when many players go abroad and try themselves in other championships. I remember when I worked with Andrei Yarmolenko, and he gave a lot of years to Ukraine, I saw that he had already outgrown our championship. And he wanted something different, and he grew up in a different championship. It is important for the team, for the country, that the guys go out and show their level and show that Ukraine exists. A simple example: when I won the Ukrainian championship with Dynamo for two seasons, I saw that in the third season the players were no longer so motivated. And for us it is important that players move to another level and have motivation. And I think everyone has the motivation to play abroad.”
About the position of UAF Vice President
“I carry out the functions that are assigned to me. My responsibilities are to control all Ukrainian national teams. It’s what I’ve done before and I like it.”.
Ukraine will compete with Bosnia and Herzegovina in the semi-finals of the European Championship qualifying playoffs. The away match for the blue-yellows will take place on March 21 in the city of Zenica at the Bilino Pole stadium. Starts at 20:45 local time (21:45 Kyiv time).
If successful, Sergei Rebrov’s team will meet with the winner of the Israel-Iceland confrontation. The final match will be a “home” match for the blue-yellows and will take place on March 26 in Wroclaw, Poland.
Euro 2024 will take place in Germany from June 14 to July 14, 2024. The matches of the European Championship will be held in arenas in Berlin, Cologne, Dortmund, Dusseldorf, Frankfurt, Gelsenkirchen, Hamburg, Leipzig, Munich and Stuttgart.
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.
