Ruslan Rotan: “Romania national team is one of our group favorites”

The head coach of the youth national team of Ukraine Ruslan Rotan told in what composition and with what mood our team is preparing for the Euro 2021 qualifier against Romania (October 10) and the friendly match with Greece (October 14).

Ruslan Petrovich, what is the latest news from the youth team camp? What was the composition of the team?

- We have two important matches ahead of us. Romania is one of our main competitors in the group. Therefore, we must prepare well for the match to achieve a positive result. Of course, the game with Greece is also in our field of vision, but it will be a friendly match. Now we will give the guys all the information about the Romanians to calmly and efficiently prepare first of all for this match.

How difficult is the Romanian national team?

Our opponent's main body consists of 12 performers who played at the European Championship and became bronze medalists. The same coach also remained in the team. This is a qualified team with individually strong players. Therefore, I am sure that the match will not be easy. I think that the national teams of Romania and Denmark are the favorites of our group. Therefore, now the main task is to prepare well for the match.

What are the strengths of the game in the Romanian national team?

- The Romanians are played, this is the main point. They played well at the Euro in Italy. This is a team that can create a goal out of nothing.

Photo of UAF press service

Are there any personnel problems for the Ukrainian national team before these matches?

- There are injuries in some players. Medical examination and MRI are waiting for Vladislav Babogl. It seems that he will not help us in these fights. Valery Bondar had problems with his passport. Now this technical issue is being resolved, and we will soon know if we can count on it. Injuries are a football phenomenon, and without such losses, unfortunately, does not happen. But we focus on those who are now ready to go out on the field. We held three meetings, in our cage about 50 players, and the selection is still ongoing. We do not stop and follow all the candidates.

Why did you now add fewer legionnaires to the "youth" than at the last meeting?

- Of course, we do not refuse them. Now the main issue is the game practice of the boys. We focus on those who play more in their clubs, but this does not mean that we abandon someone. Footballers need a game tone.

Why aren't Bulets and Sikan called to the "youth"?

- There are world champions in our cage, but some players also have injuries. We do not want to throw them into such hell, we must bring them gradually. But we are counting on them. In general, in my opinion, many guys among the world champions are now fed up with football, they had almost no vacation, so they also need somewhere to rest.

Photo of UAF press service

The same goes for Vakula and Kornienko?

- Yes, all these players are talented footballers, they are in our cage, but they need time to organically, slowly, integrate into the team, understand the game and the requirements of the "youth".

Now under your supervision football players from two teams U-20 and actually U-21. Is it difficult to find a leader for the youth team?

- Leaders are not appointed by coaches in the locker room. They need to become on the field, in everyday life, to show themselves and show character. I do not want to divide the guys into world champions and others. But the leaders in our team, of course, are present.

What do you say about friendly match against Greece?

- Of the teams we could play with, Greece was the strongest opponent. It should be a good sparring. The Greeks, like us, like to play with ball control, the number one. So we will be interested to see how our guys will act on defense. Of course, there will be a rotation of the team in this match, and we will provide playing practice to other performers so that they gradually integrate into our team, into our game. We count on all players, the main thing is that they understand our requirements.

What conclusions did the team make after the defeat to Finland?

- We have to remove the pressure on the guys, but, of course, the result is also needed. To play in the national team, you need to understand the principles of the game, you need to be ready to move organically to the first team. This is our main task. Each of the players has a chance, and we are happy if one of the "youth" is challenged to the main team of the country. This should be an example for the boys.

As for the game with the Finns, we do not take responsibility for this defeat. We had eight goals, we had to realize them.

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