Natalia Zinchenko: "In terms of tactics, we are ready to play with Germany, the main thing is that all girls are psychologically ready"

02.09.2019 20:14

Photo of UAF press service

On the eve Euro-2021 qualifying match against the German team in Lviv head coach of the women's national team of Ukraine Natalia Zinchenko held a press conference.

- I hope that tomorrow we will be helped by fans, who traditionally provide excellent support to national teams in Lviv, - said Natalia Zinchenko at the beginning of the conversation with the media.

- Probably, you understand perfectly with whom you will play. It is also easy to guess that the Germans will impose their pace from the first minutes, and your team will have to work less with the ball and more - in defense. Are you preparing for such a development?

- We really look at things and understand who will oppose us. It is clear that we will act as the second number, it is no secret. We trained all week, watched the opponent's matches, trained, had a lot of tactical exercises.

From the point of view of tactics, we are ready for the game, the main thing is that all the girls are ready psychologically. But I am one hundred percent sure that they will all fight from the beginning to the very end.

- Given this, in your opinion, psychologically the team is completely ready?

- Psychology is the first criterion. The main thing is not to be afraid, but footballers must also understand that life does not end in this match. We need to go out and show that they can and can.

Of course, the Germans are stronger, more skilled, but we also have high-level players, some of our players play abroad. We will do everything to ensure that the result is positive.

- What did the Lviv period of preparation for the match give you?

- We had the opportunity to calmly train and prepare for the game. Everything that was planned was fulfilled. It was raining, but even that didn't stop us. Wonderful city, wonderful people. The girls had the opportunity to walk around the city. We see that there is support from the people of Lviv.

- Does the national team have personnel problems, but have you decided on the starting lineup?

- I think there are always problems in every team. Before any game there are some personnel issues. And we have them, but we will not focus on that.

We have a national team, there is always someone to replace the players, we have enough young people, who in this case gets a chance. We prepare calmly, the girls know our requirements and understand that they have the opportunity to show themselves.

As for the composition - God forbid that everyone was healthy, we will decide tomorrow after breakfast and medical examination. We do not divide the team into the starting eleven and the rest. We have 22 players plus a coaching staff, and everyone is preparing for the match.

- You mentioned young players. Aren't you afraid to throw them at once against the Germans?

- You have to do it someday… They have experience playing for the national teams WU-17, WU-19. You have to trust your players, otherwise you can't build the future of our football.

- Your colleague from the German national team said that he considers the national team of Ukraine to be his main competitor in the group. Do you agree with this assessment?

- I am pleased to hear that the coach of the German national team respects us. Like I said, we have good level players. The Germans are the main favorites, that's obvious. But we also have the Irish national team in the group, which is progressing every year. In addition, I think Greece will compete for the second place. We will fight and try to reach the European Championship either directly or through head-to-head matches. This is our task.