Andrey Shevchenko. Photo: ffu.ua

The head coach of the national team of Ukraine Andriy Shevchenko commented on the home win in the match of the League of Nations against Slovakia.

– How did you managed to win?

– First of all, I want to thank the guys, they are serious about the business, executed the game plan.

The match was very heavy. The Slovaks are a good team. A large role was played by the patience we showed. If opened, they began to lose ground, could be a problem, but the guys played in an organized way.

The task was to play narrow, push opponents to the flank and wait for my chance. The chance came Tsygankov took to the wing and earned a penalty. Comment it will not. The referee awarded the penalty, so his decision. It gave us a chance and we used it.

I think that we played football, well moved. The interaction that was playing on the training completed.

– Why did you change the Linnet? It seemed that he was fresh Yarmolenko during the game.

– We saw where can enhance the game. The replacement was successful. Zhenya played well. It was fresh. But coach needs to make decisions during the game and see where you can enhance.

The chief today was a team effort. We reached him. Thank you guys for the dedication.

– If Ukraine will provide the first place in the group match against Czech Republic at home, you in the last match against Slovakia use those who play less in the team?

– I would, of course, but you so look far… We had a good start, but it is important not only from the tournament point of view. It is important to keep the structure of the game. Don’t always have enough time in the team. Guys go to clubs. Every exercise you have to use as momentum. To go from game to game. It’s hard to get ahead of ourselves here.

In our group, nothing is decided. Even ahead of the hard games. We have a strong and balanced group.

– You were calmer in the technical area today than three days ago. The result in the Czech Republic calmed or the game with the Slovaks without the fans?

– Probably have learned to hide their emotions. Experienced today, understood the importance of the match. Hard to play without spectators, with them more emotions.

The stadium and fans help. Especially here in Lviv. I want to thank the fan zone too. We heard support for the stadium, thanks for that.

– The team under your leadership issued one of the most successful races in tournaments. You feel that the team is growing and it will be even better?

– The victory of faith. I do not doubt the direction which chose the team. The growth is still early to say. Importantly, the team gradually becoming more aware of the structure of the game.

We are moving in the right direction. About results to speak early. They need to achieve and solve the problems that confront us.

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