Ruslan Rotan: "The Finns try not to give the opponent space, they act compactly, but we are ready for that"

05.09.2019 21:10

Photo of UAF press service

On the eve of the Euro-2021 (U-21) Ukraine-Finland qualifying match, a pre-match press conference of the head coach of the youth national team of Ukraine Ruslan Rotan took place.

- We have been waiting for this start for a long time, we were preparing for it, - said Ruslan Rotan. - The youth national team of Ukraine will try to fulfill the task, and this is to get to the final part of the European Championship.

As for personnel problems, it is known that before the collection of four performers were injured, so they had to call others. Now some players have minor injuries, but I think everything will be fine.

- Have you been to Zaporizhia for Zorya matches?

- I was present at some matches of Luhansk and studied very well the qualities of the players I need, because Zorya has played more matches this season than other clubs ...

- Did you get a lot of information after sparring with the youth team of Zaporizhia "Metalurg"?

- I would not even call it sparring, but training with increased responsibility. We had boys born in 1999 who played in the World Cup, so the coaching staff had to look at these players and give them the opportunity to play with those players who were called up earlier.

- What do you say about the condition of the lawn at Slavutych Arena?

- I would like to thank the people who worked on its quality. I will say that in Zaporozhye the field has always been in good condition.

- The most problematic position in your team is goalkeeping?

- Indeed, our goalkeepers do not play in the Premier League, but we are a youth team and we are working for the future. If you look at who is in the gates of the first teams of Premier League clubs, then almost everywhere they are experienced performers. The main thing is that our goalkeepers have playing practice ...

- Your team has 10 world champions in the U-20 team. How much will it help you?

- We congratulated them, but that stage of work ended, a new challenge appeared. And we expect new accomplishments from them, they must grow.

- What do you say about the Finnish national team?

- This is a disciplined athletic team that presses well. This can be seen in all her matches. I think the same thing awaits us tomorrow. The Finns try not to give the opponent space, they act compactly, but we are ready for that.

- Who is the favorite of our group?

- I think the national team of Romania, which played in the final part of the European Championship. I would also like to mention Denmark, and I would call Finland, which, by the way, recently closed the way for the Ukrainian national team to the Euro in the elite round (U-19), a strong nut. I am sure that Northern Ireland will not give points to anyone just like that.

- Are you worried before the start of the selection?

- Rather, I look forward to it. I told the guys that I expect them to win every match, and I'm sure we will strive for that. I am glad that every day footballers understand our requirements better, so we look to the future with optimism. I see potential in this team, and we need to unleash it.