Ruslan Rotan: "Victory in Serbia will give confidence, but there is no less important match with Armenia ahead"

05.09.2021 16:00

Photo by Volodymyr Rasner

After the victory in the first round of the qualifying tournament Euro-2023 (U-21) over the team of Serbia (1:0) the head coach of the youth national team of Ukraine Ruslan Rotan answered the questions of the UAF press service.

- Ruslan Petrovich, the second European selection for the youth national team of Ukraine under your leadership began with the victory in Serbia. What emotions?

- Undoubtedly, this success will give confidence to our team. The guys properly adjusted to the match, performed the setup and managed to take points on the field of a strong opponent, which includes performers from the championships of England, Italy and the Netherlands. Our team looked whole - that's the most important thing. 

- What do you think are the prospects for the blue and yellows in Group H?

- I don't think it is appropriate to talk about it now. We have every game that is responsible in its own way. Ahead is an equally important match with Armenia, in which we want to achieve maximum results and show a quality game. We will try to keep such a balance.

- The team received a lot of criticism from fans for the game in 2021. What conclusions did she draw from this preparatory period?

- Our coaching staff looks a little differently. Journalists and fans demand results, but we had a review of candidates for the team, we understood what we were going for. We did not put the result in the first place. It was important to determine the backbone of the team and best prepare for official matches.

- At the end of August, all the players you expected to see at the training camp came to the national team?

- No. Some boys, in particular Didyk and Ocheretko, were injured. However, I am glad that those performers who were called up quickly understood our ideas and requirements and became one with the team.

- The youth team includes players who have experience of European Cup matches at the club level or have already been called up to the national team (Nescheret, Mudryk, Sudakov, Supryaga). Are these the performers around whom the team's game on the way to Euro-2023 will be built?

- I would not like to switch to names, because first of all we have a team. There are trainings, matches in which leaders are determined. Yes, we have experienced players who have been in the national team and who are well prepared in terms of tactics, so they catch a little faster, but there are also guys from the U-19 teams, who today also show leadership qualities. This is the same Vivcharenko, Brazhko. First of all, we look at human qualities, how guys carry our ideas.

— What can you say about the next opponent of the youth team?

- The Armenian national team likes to be on the ball, and if you give it freedom, you can expect disaster. It consists of many technical and fast players. The Armenians are played because 17 people represent one team, CSKA. And the head coach of the national team heads this club. An interesting opponent. But it seems to me that the Armenians lack balance, they are too obsessed with attack. However, we need to prepare very seriously for this match.

- The match will take place at the Kolos Stadium in Kovalivka, where the last time the "youth" in the official match did not leave a chance to Northern Ireland - 3: 0. What are your and the team's impressions of this arena?

- We are pleased to play there. Cozy, beautiful stadium. There is always a great atmosphere in Kovalivka. Yes, the last fight in this arena brought us good luck. Let's hope that this tradition will continue.