“No nerves in no way.” Sparrow – about the future match of the national team of Ukraine

Today, on September 9, the national team of Ukraine will hold its second match in the selective tournament of the World Cup 2026. Azerbaijan team will be a “blue-yellow” rival. Recall that these competitions Sergiy Rebrov’s wards began with defeat from the French national team – 0: 2.

What will be the duel in Baku and how great the chances of our national team are a positive result in this confrontation exclusively site Sport.ua told the former striker of the national team of Ukraine Andriy Vorobeiwhich has 68 matches in a blue-yellow T-shirt.

– Andrew, today the national team of Ukraine is waiting for an important match against the Azerbaijan team. What are your expectations?
– What can be expectations after defeat in the last round. You need to take points. Everyone is only waiting for victory, even without a quality game.

-Viktor Tsygankov was also lost in addition to everything. Will it be a problem for the team?
– I don’t think. Everyone understood that Victor, despite the microtrauma obtained in the club, had small problems in the game plan, as, in principle, and the “Fi” itself, which closes La League’s standings. In the future game at the attacking potential of the national team of Ukraine will not affect. Sergiy Rebrov has who to replace Tsygankov. This is the same Alexander Zubkov, Alexei Gutsulyak, Nazar Voloshin.

– What grade will you give a toothpick in a match with France?
– It is difficult to evaluate for such a game when the actions in the attack do not go out from the entire team. Alexander did not spoil the impression, but did not stand out for any creative actions.

– One can not mention the match against the French. Game account?
– I think that everything is natural. Yes, we had some points, but this is not enough to claim a positive result. In the first half, we sat down very low, the opponent met with a low block. And when in the second half they started to act a little boldly, though something began to come out in the attack. Why couldn’t be done immediately. Probably feared the speed Michael Olis, Bradley Barkola and Kilian Mbappe. But, in general, the French were more aggressive, faster, more technical, which resulted in the final account – 2: 0.

– Will such a national team of Ukraine be able to beat Azerbaijan?
– No. It is necessary to take control from the first minutes. But this does not mean to control the ball in your half of the field, but to act aggressively on another half of the field. Now everyone has learned to play football, so you need to press. And if someone says that there is not enough strength, it should not be. The team is prepared well. If you choose a waiting tactic, then nothing good will work.

– And maybe Azerbaijanis on the rights of the owners will act aggressively.
– Perhaps. On the side of the opponent there will be stands, in addition to the weather conditions in the tank more adapted to the owners. Moreover, the Azerbaijanis want to rehabilitate for a humiliating defeat (0: 5) from Iceland. It is necessary to overcome and prove that Ukraine is stronger than its opponent.

-Do you assume that “blue and yellow” can stumble?
– Judging from many results in recent times, yes. However, I believe that it will not come to the tank.

– For Sergiy Rebrov, the national team of Ukraine progresses?
– provocative question (smiles). I will say: I probably expect many Ukrainians, I expect more than this team, considering which clubs many of our players are in, but yet, for some reason, this is not happening.

– Is it worth waiting for major changes in the starting staff of the national team of Ukraine?
– It’s hard to say. Here you need to understand who is in. But for some reason it seems to me that some rock will happen. This is especially true of the attacking line.

– What will be your forecast for the Azerbaijan match – Ukraine?
– If the coaching staff makes the right adjustments of the composition and the players do not let you win, then we must win. Score? 1: 2 or 2: 3.

– It turns out that according to your forecast, Ukrainian fans will have to sit on needles …
– And without that. The national team has accustomed us to the fact that fans are constantly nervous. We do not work out so that you play confidently at the beginning and then enjoy the football.

– The national team of Ukraine remains a favorite in the struggle for second place?
– Let’s not rush. I understand that this tournament has to play only six matches, but while the teams spent only one match. Therefore, preliminary conclusions can be made at the equator of the competition. I want to believe that somewhere and France will stumble …