Melgosa: You can’t be relaxed and hungry for the game just a little bit, because then you can’t talk about achieving high goals

Mentor youth team of Ukraine Unai Melgosa commented on the victory over Northern Ireland (2:1) in the qualifying match of the tournament European Championship 2025.

“The team won, so in terms of the result and the points we got, we achieved our goal. At the same time, in the second half, we felt a lot of pressure from the Northern Ireland team and lost the initiative, started to lose in the fights. It’s good that we were able to hold on to the victory.”

“Unfortunately, we were unable to convert all our chances, but at the same time we gained valuable experience in matches of this level. Experience in playing against teams of this style.”

“However, despite some problems, overall we were better than our opponents. I am happy with my players, and not just Voloshin and Bragara. I don’t want to single out any of the players, because anyone can score in any match. I think that at their age they work very well.”

“You can’t be relaxed and hungry for the game just a little bit, because then you can’t talk about achieving high goals. This also applies to this qualifying tournament – you can’t relax. At the same time, you need to celebrate victories, but we must maintain a balance between emotions and work.”

Ukraine U-21 won all eight matches in the UEFA Euro 2025 qualifiers and secured a place in the continental championship ahead of schedule. Even if Melgosa’s team lets England, which is five points behind, get into the top three second-placed teams and a direct ticket to the European Championship.

In the next match, the Ukrainian youth team will play against their peers from England on October 11. Four days later, the blue-yellows will meet Serbia.