Kyiv.Ukraine.Ukraine Gate – November 17,2021- Ukraine continues to fight for access to the World Cup.
The Ukrainian national football team beat Bosnia and Herzegovina 2-0 in the final of the group stage by qualifying for the 2022 World Cup. To continue the fight in the qualifiers, the last match had to be won, provided that the Finns did not defeat the French. The stars agreed, but questions remained on the team. About the lack of an idea in the game and physical form.
As expected, the friendly match with Bulgaria showed that the coach of the Ukrainian national team decided to change the scheme before the main match of his career. Petrakov returned to Shevchenko 4-3-3 with the classic triangle already in the middle of the field – Stepanenko-Zinchenko-Malinovsky. One of the Euro 2020 champions, Georgi Pushchan, defended the goal once again.
The tactical scheme should mean that Ukraine will play ideologically in the attack, because the resource allowed. Instead, in the first half we saw nothing but long-range shots by Madinovsky, Zinchenko and Yarmolenko. Each of the players tried to act at the expense of individual skill.
Players in the center of the field, in particular Malinowski, often pulled back to receive the ball, to make another throw forward. Thus, we created a void on the approaches to the penalty area and could not organize a majority at the opponent’s goal. Ukrainians went on the offensive at the expense of long crosses on the “heavy” Yarmolenko and easily physically composed Tsygankov. At the end of the first half, Bushchan pulled out a “dead” ball and left the goal intact before the break.
In the second half we did not create dangerous moments until Zinchenko’s goal. Fortunately, we managed to score at the beginning of the second half. A somewhat curious goal with a noticeable ricochet brought us forward. After the 65th minute, the Ukrainians simply stopped catching up with the opponent, stopped moving forward. It’s not even about the goal scored, it’s about the physical condition of our players.
It was not possible to level all the attacking efforts of the enemy. In two episodes, Bushchan again showed his high class. After the substitutions, it should be admitted that the team moved a bit, thanks to the activity of Shaparenko and Zubkov. The Bosnians ran to play back, freeing up large areas for counterattacks. Fresh Artem Dovbyk found his moment and increased the advantage of Ukraine. To tell the truth, Artem could have made the score devastating, but already in the empty net he managed to “find” the captain of Bosnia.
“It was a nervous game, I knew it would be like that. The team looked good, we were a little nervous, something didn’t work out. But I’m happy with the guys’ game, the character they showed. Such matches are very difficult to play. It was a game for the result, we achieved it “- the head coach of the national team of Ukraine Oleksandr Petrakov shared his emotions after the game.
Taking second place, Ukraine reached the playoffs for the World Cup. After the winter break, we will compete with other teams that took second place in their groups. Potential rivals include Portugal and Italy. Ukraine should add in terms of “physics”, and Petrakov should build a team game with a clear picture. It is possible to win at the expense of individual skill of separate football players, but it is not always possible. Especially when the rivals are the champions of the previous two Euros.
“Now I have adapted to the national team. It was very difficult for me. Experienced guys, Yarmolenko, Stepanenko, Pyatov, Kryvtsov, as well as those who are younger, all helped me. I would like to thank my players for the help they gave me, “Petrakov summed up at the post-match press conference.
Kyiv.Ukraine.Ukraine Gate – November 17,2021-
