Andriy Shevchenko: “After France, there was a serious conversation. Let's look at the reaction of the players ... "

09.10.2020 21:45

Photo by Pavlo Kubanov

The head coach of the national team of Ukraine Andriy Shevchenko spoke to the media at a pre-match press conference on the eve of tomorrow's League of Nations match against Germany.

- Do you have good news on the eve of the match?

- The results of the latest tests on COVID have just arrived. They are all negative. It's nice that none of the players drop out anymore, none of the coaches either.

- How did the players survive the result of the match with France, did they manage to switch?

- After that game we had a serious conversation. Despite the difficult situation in which we find ourselves, the players called up to the national team must take responsibility. 1: 7 is a lot, it's a lot. So the conversation was really serious. Let's look at the reaction of the players.

- In what psychological state is the goalkeeper Bushchan after seven forgiven m'yachiv?

- It is important for all players to play the next game after such a defeat. Yes, it is not easy for Bushchan, incredible balls flew into his goal, there were ricochets. It happens, it's good that it happened in one match.

When we were in France, the players took tests, and until the last minute it was unclear who could play today. Now the test results have arrived, the application for the game has been made, tomorrow it will be easier to determine the composition than in France.

- Was the match with the French really necessary?

- Yes, we had to play it. As for the result - note that we do not have such a choice of performers as the leading European teams. If we lose one or two main players - this is a problem. And in France it fell much more.

- You said that you will not deviate from your style - control m'yach, the game number one. Do you have a plan "B" for the match with Germany?

- You may have noticed that we did not try to act as the number one with Switzerland, Spain and France. We can't play number one with the grands, but our principles remain. These are medium and short passes, ball control, exit from defense through a pass. 

There are a lot of young people in the team now, it takes time to find new connections. If we change six or eight players, that's a big problem. I'm taking a big risk, but I have to do it because I'm preparing the team for Euro 2020. Young footballers are given a chance and they have to take responsibility.

- Why didn't you release Shovkovsky in France as a replacement for history and statistics, but won't there be two Shevchenkos in the national team tomorrow?

- As for Nikita, we called him earlier. I won't say whether he will play, because we will decide on the lineup tomorrow.

As for Shovkovsky, we had to include him in the application, because we could no longer apply to anyone at that time because we did not have time to do tests for new performers. If the need arose, Shovkovsky would go out on the field, it would be better than putting a field player in the goal. But there could be no question of any way out for statistics, I am not interested in these statistics. Another statistic is important to me - the results of the team.

- How do you feel about the decision to allow fans to the stands?

- Really, we missed the fans very much, we play for them. I think the decision to allow them was considered. For me, football without spectators is very difficult.

In conclusion, I want to add a few words from myself. I hope that in the next two or three months the circumstances will change for the better, but now we are in a very difficult personnel situation. The national teams of countries where national championships are not very strong cannot count on qualitative strengthening.

Tomorrow the mood with which we will play will be very important. Germany is a physically very strong team, so it is important how many duels we will win in the air and rebounds. We are preparing to face the opponent with dignity.