Oleksandr Petrakov: "The game with Armenia will be nervous. We need points - just like our opponent"

23.09.2022 17:01

Photo by Grihor Grihoryan

The head coach of the national team of Ukraine, Oleksandr Petrakov, spoke to the media on the eve of the Nations League away match against Armenia.

The Nations League match between the national teams of Armenia and Ukraine will take place on September 24 in Yerevan at the Republican Stadium named after Vazgen Sargsyan (beginning at 16.00 Kyiv time). On the eve of the game, the head coach of the blue and yellow Oleksandr Petrakov spoke at a press conference.

— In the last match you lost Scotland. Did Zinchenko not play — did it somehow affect the actions of your team?

— Zinchenko is the leader of the Ukrainian national team, we missed him, but this is football life. He called me, told me about the injury, was disappointed that it would not help. At the moment we do not have five main players. It is a lot for us, but other football players will get a chance.

— What did you fail in the match against the Scots?

— I have already said that there are not many performers in Ukraine. It is very difficult for us to play when three or four players are out. The guys that came out tried really hard, but they're not ready to play at that level yet. We faced a team where everyone plays in the Premier League. I can't say that we were unlucky - this time the opponent beat us. Steve Clarke said the same thing about us after Scotland in June and now I'll say they beat us. The Scots surpassed us in desire. Many of the boys were not ready. They were told about it, set up. However, this is the League of Nations. Everyone has the right to make a mistake. This is football, this is sport.

— How do you assess your chances in the match against Armenia?

— I watched many matches of the Armenian national team, they have a good coach, a Spanish specialist. The opponent will play at the home stadium. You know we can't play at home now - we always play away. So I consider the chances in tomorrow's game as 50/50.

— What is the personnel situation in the team? Is Mykolenko ready to play?

— We now have 24 performers — three goalkeepers, 21 field players. Sarapiy arrived, Mykolenko is healthy. Everything is fine, everyone is healthy.

- Why did you summon Sarapius?

- We have eight yellow cards. The next card — and the player will miss the match against Scotland. The game against Armenia will be nerve-wracking, we need points just like the opponent. A coach must think ahead.

— Is the meeting of the national team scheduled for November?

— This is not decided by me, but by the management of the UAF. I went to the clubs in August, asking them to allow us to hold two matches in November. They agreed in advance, but then they answered me with a refusal. Therefore, the team will not meet in November. The next collection will be held in March next year.