Ruslan Rotan: We have a tough group with France as favorites

28.01.2021 19:03

Photo of UAF press service

The head coach of the Ukraine U-2023 team Ruslan Rotan commented on the results of the XNUMX European Championship qualifying draw.

The UEFA Euro-XNUMX (U-XNUMX) qualifying of the draw was held today. As a result, the Ukraine U-2023 team will play with teams from France, Serbia, Northern Macedonia, the Faroe Islands and Armenia.

Ruslan Rotan, the manager of the blue-and-yellow team, told the UAF official website about the rivals and the tasks of our team.

- How do you like the results of the draw?

- They need to be perceived as they are. Everyone can draw conclusions for themselves. We understand that we have a tough group with France as favorites. It has always been difficult with Balkan teams. We also do not write off the Faroe Islands and Armenia. We will have to do everything possible in matches with them no less than in matches with the French. There are no weak rivals in modern football, it has already been proven. However, everything will depend only on us. The Ukraine U-XNUMX team will strive to show the football that the coaching staff instills, and, of course, will try to achieve the desired result. Moreover, the UAF creates all the conditions for quality and fruitful work. 

- Will the strategic tasks not change?

- No. We want to raise as many guys as possible for the national team. However, without motivation there is no progress, so we will do everything in our power to make it to the final stage of the European Championship.

- Not only the youth team, but also the national team will have to play with France in the 2022 World Cup qualifying. Is this a good examiner?

- Of course. We all understand perfectly well what kind of opponent this is. The French national team has always had a lot of talent, so it will be even more interesting to play with such a strong team.

- By the way, you are familiar with Northern Macedonia ...

- We do. We played with this team a year ago, but since then its composition has noticeably rejuvenated. However, among football, Balkan football has always been at a high level. Such opponents must be respected. But do not be afraid.

Euro-2023 (U-21) qualifying round

In the final part there will be 16 teams - Romania and Georgia as hosts of the tournament and 14 more national teams that will join them based on the results of the selection (nine group winners, the best team among the second place winners and four winners of the playoffs with eight winners). second places).

Qualifying tournament: March 2021 - June 2022.

Playoffs: September 2022.

Final tournament: June / July 2023.

The matches of the tournament with the participation of 16 national teams will be hosted by four stadiums in Romania (two in Cluj-Napoca and two in Bucharest) and four in Georgia (in Batumi, Poti and two in Tbilisi). The opening match will take place in Romania, and the final - in Georgia.