Andriy Shevchenko: We have created enough moments to get at least a draw

12.11.2020 02:40

Photo by Yevhen Kraws

The head coach of the national team of Ukraine Andrii Shevchenko commented on the team's defeat in a friendly match against Poland.

In Chorzow blue-and-yellows lost to Poland with the score 0: 2. After the match, the coach of the Ukrainian team Andrii Shevchenko answered journalists' questions:

- The only thing I am dissatisfied with today is the result. The team showed very decent football, creative game in a good structure. However, we lacked moments attacks converted into goals. We made two mistakes and were severely punished for them. This is football. No need to make a special drama out of it. I am satisfied with the game and the players. If removing the result, then I will call this game positive for us from the point of view of the team.

Today we tried to balance the lineup, like Poland. Some spent 45 minutes, some did not play at all. Important clashes await us. The friendly game gave enough information to both coaches, which is the main thing. I don't see any sense in giving a general assessment of the match. For me, this is a positive duel in terms of return, structure and organization of the game.

I have good players. We played well, created moments. There are days when you don't score. The most important thing is to play correctly. The structure was very good, we constantly maneuvered, tried to control the ball. We had very good combinations and interactions, we acted compactly in defense. We definitely need to refine the implementation plan. I will talk about this with the players.

— Players of the national team took long shots for many times. Was this your setup?

- I think we have created enough moments. We were shooting at close range and from far distances. The team did what it had to attack. The only thing that was missing was implementation.

— How much did the missed penalty affect the development of events?

- It was a chance for us to take the lead. But after that the team did not stop, continued to work in the same spirit. I am satisfied with the content of the game. Penalties are one of our main chances that we could realize. We created enough moments to play at least a draw. We didn't deserve to lose.

— Please, comment on Andrii Lunin's mistake in the first half.

- Everyone makes mistakes. He had the ball cut off. Moreover, the quality of the pitch did not quite correspond to the level required for our game. It was a little difficult for us to control the ball on this pitch. Apparently, because of this Lunin went wrong.

— Why did you put Lunin in the starting lineup, and not Dmytro Riznyk, who is now showing excellent results?

- Lunin is a young promising goalkeeper who plays in a very good team. Yes, he has little playing time. But friendly matches are needed to allow a player to enter the pitch. In addition to that mistake, he played a very good game, I'm happy with it.

— Will this mistake affect Lunin's future prospects in the national team?

- Definitely not. Everyone is wrong, so I don't see a problem with that. He played a stable, good game. If we constantly take into account mistakes, we will have no prospects in working with footballers at all.

— How would you comment on Yukhym Konoplya's game? What are the other options for the position of right defender?

- We do not have many options. So it turns out that two players from one position constantly fall out: goalkeepers, central defenders, fullbacks. Now there is a problem with the right flank of the defense. Konoplya played very well. In the second half, we gave Bondar the opportunity to make his debut to see how he will play in this position. Valerii also entered the game well. We need to balance the lineup, two tough games ahead. We need to find a player who can solve the tasks in this position.

— Taras Stepanenko was not included in the application for the match, and Ruslan Malinovskyi remained on the bench. What is it connected with?

- We planned it, gave Stepanenko an opportunity to have a rest. Still, many guys recover from the coronavirus. For some, the recovery was quick and easy, for some it was worse. For us, the next two matches are very important, we tried to balance the team, used all six substitutions in the match against Poland. Stepanenko and Malinovskyi are preparing for the next games. If all goes well, they will come out in the starting lineup.

— Why wasn't Vitalii Buyalskyi called up to the November selection?

- We have enough midfielders. We called those who worked in the team system. We have a certain backbone that we work with. Buyalskyi missed the last training camp due to injuries. Now he looks good at Dynamo. I always consider him a candidate for the national team, I am always satisfied with his attitude to work. At the moment, we called these players, gave them the opportunity to play.

— Are there any plans to call players to the national team?

- At the moment, calling someone to the team is a very complicated procedure. Therefore, no one will join. Until the end of the collection, we will work with the current squad.

— The national team includes many Shakhtar players who have suffered from the coronavirus. In what form are they? Did you have time to recover?

- Today Kryvtsov played, played a very good match. This is his first game after the illness. I think there are guys who have recovered faster, they feel better. Some find it a little difficult. This is a normal situation. The main thing is that the players returned to the team. We will monitor their condition, recovery and training. The most important thing for me is that each of them comes here with a great desire to help the national team.

— Can we say that the lack of fans affected today's game?

- We are all in the same conditions. We miss the fans very much. When the national team played in Kyiv, the support of the stands was felt. It is very difficult to play football without fans. I hope that in the near future the situation will improve and the spectators will return to the stands.