Yevhen Konoplyanka: "Maybe it's for the better that they missed the ball at the beginning, not in the 30th minute"

07.09.2018 13:10

Photo by Pavlo Kubanov

Ukraine midfielder Yevhen Konoplyanka comments on the start of the Blue and Yellows in the League of Nations in the match against the Czech Republic.

- This match was extremely important for us, because it was not a friendly game, but a new tournament, - said Yevhen Konoplyanka. —The responsibility was felt, and we understood that it was necessary to start the League of Nations successfully. We played away, the result was perfect.

The first four minutes of the match failed, and then the game was under our control. They lost the ball and missed an optional goal. Well, they evened the score in the first half. I think we showed decent football. Maybe it's for the best they missed earlier than the 30th minute. In any case, the first half can still be credited to the national team asset. In general, the victory can be considered deserved.

Of course, Marlos became one of the best players in the match, his role in our victory is significant, although the whole team also tried.

.... I don't think turning off the lights at the stadium affected our mood. It was mentioned that this happened at the match between Dnipro and Metalist. Of course, we did not expect that the hosts would be credited with a technical defeat. We were focused and tuned to the game as needed ...

Shevchenko's emotions? Yes, I understand it. For the last 10 minutes it has also been very difficult for me to sit on the bench.

It is difficult to talk about Slovakia now. While there is no emotion, it is necessary to survive this game, to resume.