The Ukrainian national team played their first game in preparation for the playoffs in the 2022 World Cup qualifiers. Borussia Mönchengladbach became the rival of the “blue-yellows”. The legionnaires, who continue to protect the colors of their clubs in the national championships, have not yet reached our team’s camp. By the way, in parallel with the match in Mönchengladbach, two “collectors” (Mikolenko and Zinchenko) took part in the matches of the English Premier League.

At the start of the match, the Ukrainians had more possession and the home team responded with some pretty aggressive pressure. Mudrik’s sudden moves caused a lot of problems in Borussia’s defensive line-ups: It was his run that brought the first goal. Mudrik sent the ball into an empty net, getting ahead of Mönchengladbach’s defender and goalkeeper. However, the hosts managed to level the score quickly. Noss took full advantage of his cannabis pruning, dribbling the ball from outside the penalty area into our pen.

After airing a shock segment, the teams slowed down a bit. And in the last minute of the half, the Ukrainians almost scored the second goal. Again, we note the speed of Mudrik, who dispersed the counterattack and brought it one-on-one with the goalkeeper Shaparenko. Unfortunately, the midfielder lost the duel to Sommer.

After the break, the Borussia coaching team made a series of substitutions and Petrakov limited himself to three roster changes (Riznyk, Popov and Bondar entered the field). Mudrik continued to intimidate the home’s defense with a long-range shot, forcing the goalkeeper Sidorchuk to work hard. The Mönchengladbachers also had a great chance of success, but after a mistake by Bondar, the Bennets fired on target.

By the end of the meeting, Ukrainians became more active, which brought results. And if Bondar could not get the ball into the goal after the corner, he could not cope with the kick from the Borussia goalkeeper Pikhalyonok. The Blue-Yellows could have scored again in the 90th minute, but Karavaev failed to score with a rebound.

Well, our national team made a pretty good impression and will continue to prepare for important matches. Next week Petrakov’s men will play friendly matches against Empoli (17th) and Rijeka (18th).

Charity match.

Borussia Monchengladbach – Team Ukraine – 1:2

Noss (14) – Mudrik (9), Pikhalyonok (82)

Borussia M (first half): Sommer, Friedrich, Herrmann, Stindl, Plea, Hofmann, Ginter, Scully, Elvedi, Noss, Reites.

Borussia M (second half): Sippel, Leiner, Bensebaini, Elvedi (Musel, 69), Ginter, Netz, Reites, Kone, Neuhaus, Embolo, Bennetts.

Ukraine: Bushchan (Riznyk, 46), Hemp (Popov, 46), Zabarny, Matvienko, Karavaev, Sidorchuk, Stepanenko (Pikhalyonok, 75), Mudryk (Buletsa, 70), Shaparenko (Sirota, 79), Buyalsky (Bondar, 46), Besedin (Garmash, 70).

Chief Referee: Denis Shurman (Ukraine)

Borussia Park Stadium (Moenchengladbach, Germany)
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