Andriy Shevchenko: "Debutants acted very confidently and fully completed the tasks for the game"

04.09.2020 02:57

Photo by Pavlo Kubanov

The head coach of the national team of Ukraine Andriy Shevchenko held a press conference afterwards winning match with Switzerland (2: 1) in the League of Nations.

- Once again, I thank Lviv for the warm welcome, - Andriy Shevchenko began talking to the press. - Unfortunately, there were few people at the stadium today - only those who were supposed to be here according to the protocol.   

Switzerland is a well-prepared team, the work of the coach is felt. This is a very balanced team, and today was a great test for us.

- How can you comment on the fact that the national team of Ukraine had problems with the transition to attack at the expense of assists?

- The opponent didn't allow us to do it, actively pressed us. This is a very strong team, the Swiss acted boldly, widely located. In the second half we played better, there was good football performed by two teams.

- How do you assess the final result of the match?

- A game was opened today in which both teams played and allowed the opponent to play. In a game like this, if you create moments, you have to score. We created our moments and used them.

- What can you say about Vladimir Petkovich's claims to arbitration and absence VAR?

- The game was very clean, the referee showed the players few cards, and VAR was actually unnecessary. Although there was a lot of physical contact, the players respected each other.

- Why did you use only one replacement and how can you assess the actions of the debutants - Tymchyk and Mykhailychenko?

- First of all, the debutants acted very confidently, they fully fulfilled the tasks we set. After a good connection of Tymchyk, we scored the first goal ... As for substitutions, we could only make three of them. During the match, I took into account the different condition of the players. Those players who were on the field kept the rhythm of the game, substitutions were unnecessary. Besides, I wasn't sure that the artist would be able to enter such a game. We achieved the result, so this decision was justified.

- You appealed a lot to Yaremchuk, who came on as a replacement…

- My remarks were aimed at stimulating Roman, to keep the rhythm. The players heard me, it was important not to stop. Yaremchuk was a great replacement, there were a few mistakes, but I have no complaints about him ...

- Will there be a rotation in the match against Spain? And how do you evaluate Konoplyanka's game?

- Before the match against Spain it is necessary to recover. We will see how the players will feel. As for Konoplyanka, based on his current condition, Eugene had a great fight. He needs to compete both in the club and in the national team. We will give him a chance.

- Switzerland acted according to the 3-4-3 scheme in the attack. What is the peculiarity of such a scheme for our defense?

- This team always acts like that. According to the game system, Switzerland is a very inconvenient opponent for us. But we fulfilled the plan for the match, we opposed our opponents perfectly.