Volodymyr SHARAN: “The main attention of the national team of Ukraine should be given to defense”

Ukrainian expert Vladimir Sharan He expressed his views on the sparring of the Ukrainian team.

“When we did our final training at the training camp, we tried to give the guys the opportunity to play for 90 minutes so they could get full information about their situation. The same goals were pursued by Alexander Petrakov, who set up a different squad for the Rijeka match than for the Empoli match. Playing 30 minutes is not right.

Legionnaires, who will soon come to the location of the Ukrainian national team, will certainly play on the “base”. And in the fight against Empoli and Rijeka, which turned out to be of high quality and really informative, the players were determined for the closest substitute for the duel with Scotland. It was important for Petrakov to determine who could strengthen the game if needed in the 2022 World Cup qualifier and who could be counted on at the next meetings of the League of Nations.

The controlled guys played in different positions, Dovbik and Besedin played after a long hiatus due to injuries, so I won’t be personal. The same Sikan and Sirota played on the left and this was done to let them play. From the composition in the match with Rijeka, I think that a maximum of four or five players will enter the practice of the Ukrainian national team. They themselves understand that they are a reserve.

Our team needs to focus on defense. That doesn’t mean we should close, but teamwork is very important in defense. As for the attack, you should not worry too much in the presence of Yaremchuk and Yarmolenko. However, it is important for Yarmolenko in which situation he will approach the match against Scotland. The rest of our legionnaires are fine.”