Alexander Petrakov: "Portuguese have an advantage, but we will still fight"

24.07.2018 13:06

Photo by Pavlo Kubanov

Head coach of the youth team of Ukraine U-19 Alexander Petrakov commented match with Turkey at the Euro-2018 in Finland and looked into the near future.

- Before the game with Turkey, we were very worried, - said Alexander Vasilyevich. - It often happens that when there is one step left, footballers can get excited. However, the guys again showed themselves in all their glory, well done. In addition to Buletsa, Supryaga could have scored twice. Although it was clear that fatigue has accumulated significantly. We do not have such a large human potential. Many guys still do not have enough experience of matches of this level. Mostly the burden falls on certain performers.

We have some staffing problems. But I believe that everything will work out and the players will be in line. Now the first place is again the recovery of players before the match against Portugal. In this regard, I want to thank the coaching and administrative staff, which works almost without rest for the benefit of the team. And here the semifinal match is scheduled for three o'clock in the afternoon. At this age, an extra day of rest, and when you need to play in two days on the third, is affected. The Portuguese have an advantage in this. However, we will fight to reach the final, I promise.

As for the opponent, I have not met Portugal in eight years of work in the youth national teams. The strength of the team is evidenced at least by the fact that this team two years ago became the European champion among 17-year-olds. The Portuguese played a team, many individually strong players. The Portuguese national team has almost no weaknesses, but we will try to find something to resist it.

Photo by uefa.com