Andriy Shevchenko: "The team will do everything for a positive result, will try to play at the limit of its capabilities"

28.06.2021 21:25

Photo by Pavlo Kubanov

The head coach of the national team of Ukraine Andriy Shevchenko held a press conference in Glasgow on the eve of the match of the 1/8 finals of Euro 2020 with the team of Sweden.

- Today is our captain Andriy Pyatov's birthday, - Andriy Shevchenko said in his introductory speech, - the team congratulated him. As for personnel issues, Zubkov continues to recover, other players are healthy. Today will be pre-game training, and tomorrow - a very important game. We are ready for it.

- In one of the last interviews you said that the team has already achieved the result, and if you can go further, it will be a bonus. Don't you think that leaving the group from the third place is not enough for the national team of Ukraine?

- I think the words I said are a reality. The team played very well in the first two matches at the Euros, in the third they did not succeed in what we had planned. But we left the group, as expected. We have a fight ahead to rehabilitate.

- What do you remember about the match with Sweden in Europe2012?

- I have wonderful memories. It was a great game. Performing at your home stadium with the support of your spectators in the opening match of such a tournament is an extraordinary experience. And also managed to score two goals. But these are just memories, tomorrow will be a completely different game.

- Do you think Sweden is stronger than Ukraine now?

- I don't think it would be right to say which team is better or worse. Tomorrow's match will show who is better prepared and played better. We are completely different in style, we have a different philosophy of the game.

- Tomorrow in Glasgow at the stadium there will be many representatives of the Ukrainian diaspora. What can you tell them?

- It is very nice that there will be fans, despite all the restrictions. At the same time, many fans will not be able to come to the match. We have a large diaspora in the UK. We hope that people will come and support us. The team will do everything for a positive result, will try to play at the limit of its capabilities. Nobody will make excuses and make any promises. We are preparing and want to have a good fight.

— What do you think of rival head coach Janne Andersson?

- I have a lot of respect for coaches who have their own philosophy that helps them achieve results. The Swedish team has a strong style, it is well prepared, physically strong, uses its best qualities. She deserves great respect.

— Your opponents went to the amusement park in preparation for the match. Didn't you think to defuse the atmosphere too?

- There is a great atmosphere in the national team of Ukraine. We did not have such an opportunity. We found out if we could do something like that. However, due to the situation with COVID-19, we were not allowed to leave the hotel.

— What game do you expect from the Swedish national team?

- I don't think the team will change its style very much. They have two good strikers who move perfectly. Sweden can press, it can withdraw and act aggressively. We are ready for any scenario.

— Is it true that Zubkov will no longer be able to play for the Euro?

- There is no sense in talking about it. He is with us, undergoing rehabilitation. He is not ready for the game yet.

— At the expense of what do you plan to beat the opponent?

- We must be careful first of all on the standards, because Sweden uses them well. It is important to win heels, there will be a lot of power struggles. It is also important to attack well.