Mikolenko: Upset, although we played very well

Defender Ukrainian national team Vitaly Mykolenko commented on the fight with Italy (0:0) in qualifying European Championship 2024.

“We are really upset in the locker room. Although we played very well, I think. Yes, there were moments in the second half when we could have scored. I think the head coach said correctly that we played on equal terms with the European champions. It’s a very good sign for us that we can compete with teams like Italy.”

“Our tactics with the Italians have changed somewhat after the last match. It was much easier, and Zinchenko helped me more often 1 on 1. We were, perhaps, fresher than in the last match with Italy. It was easier to cover those lines and holes in the defense.”

“The Italians played the same way somewhere. Because we changed our tactics when we came out of defense and when we defended without the ball… I’m not a coach, but it was easier for me with this tactic.”

“Regarding the possible penalty, it seemed to me that at this pace Mudryk threw the ball and there was a foul. But I later talked to Barrella after the moment – he said that first they played the ball, then they played the foot. I don’t know if this is true, I can’t give any analysis.”

“14 points? To be honest, it makes no difference how many points were scored during this group stage. We still didn’t go out directly. It’s a little sad that we didn’t make it, but I’m very proud of our team.”

“I want to thank all the staff, everyone who prepared with us. We actually did very well in this qualification, but we were unlucky. I think we did it very well.”

At the end of the meeting, Mikolenko was recognized as the Lion of the match with Italy. Vitaly spent the entire match on the field and made three successful tackles and six clearances.

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.