Andriy Shevchenko: “It was important for me to see that guys understand our requirements”

Head coach of the national team of Ukraine Andriy Shevchenko holds a press conference after a friendly match with the national team of Estonia (1: 0).

- First of all, I want to thank the fans, - Andriy Shevchenko started talking to the media. - Today was a full stadium, even in cold weather. I didn't even expect the stands to be filled in five minutes, as happened just before the game.  

- We have been waiting for the national team in Zaporizhia for many years. Can we count on pre-match training the next time the team fights in the city?

- I want to explain why we held classes before the game in Kyiv. Now the players have a lot of flights, we wanted to spend an extra day in peace. I apologize to the fans, next time, if we come to Zaporozhye, we will definitely train here.

- Did you expect such dedication from the players of the Estonian national team, and how did you set up your wards?

- Yes, the Estonians were charged. This team closes well in defense, covers zones. It was important for us to score the first goal. We created enough moments, controlled the ball, but we did not succeed for a long time.

Today it was important to give the opportunity to enter the field to those who played less in previous matches. I am very pleased with our actions in the first half, the structure of the game was preserved. Due to possession, transfer of the ball from flank to flank, we created moments, but lacked implementation. In the second half there were substitutions, the players started to hurry, there was nervousness. We had to act differently in the end. However, we still scored. Our victory is deserved.

- How do you assess the quality of the lawn, but is there a desire to return to Zaporozhye?

- Everything is fine with the lawn at Slavutych Arena. It's a little tough, but that's not surprising. Now is a busy period, many matches, so there are no claims to the field. As for future matches, it will depend on the decisions of the leadership of the national association. In general, the practice of holding matches in the regions, I think, is correct. It is very important that we are seen in different cities of the country.

- Did you get answers to the questions that worried you?

- I had no reason to worry, but it was interesting to see how the guys who used to play less will be able to adapt to our game structure. It was more important to me. So when I saw in the first and, to a lesser extent, in the second half, their understanding of what we were doing and how we were going to overcome the tight defense, it made me happy.

- Which of the players especially attracted your attention today?

- Footballers who got a chance today need to compete with our leading performers. We need to know who we can count on. It was important for me to see that the guys understood our requirements. Today, Malinovsky, Zinchenko, Stepanenko, and Marlos were absent - leading footballers who play an important role. On Sunday we will play with another, more serious opponent, so this information was useful.

- What is the task of the national team for the match with Serbia, and will Kryvtsov return to the team?

- Kryvtsov is preparing for a match against the Serbs, we gave him a rest. We are seriously preparing for the match in Belgrade and want to show a decent game in it.

TOPIC NEWS
28.03.2024 15:07

Andriy Shevchenko: "We believed in our victory"

President of the Ukrainian Football Association Andriy Shevchenko commented...

16.03.2024 09:00

Andriy Shevchenko spoke with the Ukrainian U-17 national team, which qualified for Euro-2024

On March 15, UAF President Andriy Shevchenko talked with the players and...

05.03.2024 13:21

UAF President Andriy Shevchenko attended the training of the Ukrainian national team, made up of players with limb amputations

President of the Ukrainian Football Association Andriy Shevchenko attended a class...

25.02.2024 16:43

Andriy Shevchenko: "It is important that the boys come to the national team motivated, and we will do everything necessary for their training"

Today, February 25, before the match of the 18th round of the Vbet League "Metalist...

Subscribe to news