Andriy Shevchenko: "It is necessary for the national team to show quality football and at the same time get a permit for Euro"

02.09.2019 20:58

Photo by Pavlo Kubanov

The head coach of the national team of Ukraine Andriy Shevchenko took part in a press conference on the eve of the Euro 2020 qualifying match against Lithuania and a friendly match with Nigeria.

Today, the country's main team gathered in the capitalto say hello to your fans. Before you begin open team training her mentor Andriy Shevchenko spoke with the media.

— What are your plans for this week? What is your biggest concern as a national coach?

- Today is the day when the children went to school, some for the first time. I congratulate everyone on the holiday, especially first-graders. Many players also have children, some of whom had the first "rulers". So the guys had a good first half of the day. The team gathered, all in a good mood, ahead of the first training session. Some players played on Saturday and Sunday, so today the format is lighter in order to bring everyone to the same physical condition.

— In what form is Yevgeny Konoplyanka, and where will he play in the near future?

- I hope his transfer will take place. It is very important for us that he finds a team and plays. Most likely, he will not be in training today - he solves personal issues. I hope he finds the best option to continue his career.

— Will Shakhtar be such an option for him?

- I think that Eugene will solve it himself. He is an experienced player, this decision applies only to him and his family. I wish him good luck and support any choice.

— I am interested in your opinion about the Champions League draw. Many of our collections will play with each other…

- It is important for us to watch how the players will progress within the tournament. The players who now represent Manchester City and Atalanta are in the same group, so we will fly and watch the matches. As far as I know, Atalanta in the Champions League plays at the San Siro in Milan, where my assistants live.

— In what form did Roman Yaremchuk arrive? Is he ready to play?

- Everything is fine with him, he will hold the first training, but in "light" mode. Still, Roman missed the last week. It is very important that he holds classes today. In the future we will monitor its condition. If he improves, Yaremchuk will prepare for the game.

— In what position will you use Alexander Zinchenko?

- He is versatile, so he can play in different positions. He first needs to get into the team, and then determine his place on the field.

— In what psychological state did the players of Dynamo Kyiv arrive at the national team?

- I have not yet talked to them on this topic. I always ask the guys who come to the national team to leave the club's problems aside. Everyone has difficult moments, and I am sure that Dynamo will get out of this situation. We wish Kyivans good luck. This club raised me, so I will always worry about it. In the meantime, each of the players must focus on the matches of the national team. We have an important selection game and a friendly match ahead of us, and I always equate them with the official ones. After a long break, the team returns to Ukraine, to Dnipro, where they will play against a worthy opponent.

— How do you evaluate the form of Andrei Yarmolenko and Viktor Tsygankov, who could not fully spend the off-season?

- Very positive. I liked the condition of Andrew, who returned after a long absence due to injury and subsequent surgery. His support was very important. Yarmolenko came to us in June, held a training camp, although he was not ready enough and could not fully participate in training. He is a positive player, very important for us. Andrew recovered and played a number of good matches for West Ham, scoring the ball in the last game. Victor now constantly plays and adds. There are also only positive points about him.

— What is the call of Viktor Kovalenko connected with?

- We have the backbone of the team we have been working with for a long time. We have always watched Victor, he is a member of the national team. He has not played recently due to injury. We see that he has now recovered. This artist is important to the team, so we called him.

— U-20 world champions not ready for national team integration yet?

- Young players have a great future only if each of them will confirm their level in new clubs, in the adult championship. We watch everyone, everyone has a chance. But at the moment they have to establish themselves in their clubs and show the level of the game that would bring them closer to the national team.

— After the victory over Serbia in Lviv, bookmakers call us the group's favorites. Do you and the team feel the psychological pressure associated with the burden of leadership? 

- Before the start of the qualifying round, the team had a task - to take the place that will allow to get to the European Championship. The entire coaching staff and the Ukrainian Football Association are working on this. Whether we are leaders or not, I am least interested in it. My task is to prepare the team, to make it show quality football and at the same time get a ticket to Euro 2020.