The blue-and-yellow team began their journey in the new Nations League round with a victory over Ireland (1:0) at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin. After the match, head coach of Ukraine's national team Oleksandr Petrakov appeared at the press conference.

— How satisfied are you with the changes in the team? What brought a positive result?

— We played a very difficult match against Wales on June 5. To avoid injuring the players, I decided to give young players who hadn't played before a chance to play. I am satisfied that they came out and played. Many players made their debut at an official level. We will analyze mistakes, but I am pleased with the selflessness of the young footballers, their attitude towards the game. Satisfied with the result. This is such positive after what happened with Wales. We turned the page. We don't look into the past, we move forward.

— What does this victory mean to you given that 3,500 Ukrainian supporters were present on the stands and rejoiced in the team's success?

— Right now is such a time. People who are in Ireland came. I am very grateful to this country for providing shelter to our women and children. I understand that everyone wants to go home, but they can't travel right now. We are very pleased that we made our citizens happy.

— You played in quite an attacking style. Do you consider the Ukrainian national team better than Ireland in this regard since you decided to defend less and attack more?

— I instill an attacking football mentality in the team so that they fear no one. Since you liked it, thank you very much for your assessment of the work of the coaching staff and our national team. It is to my liking.

— How would you evaluate Andriy Lunin's play who kept a clean sheet after a long time?

— I've known him since he was 15. I know his father and mother. For me, he is like my son. I am pleased that he played an official match, drew the game at zero. I congratulated him as well as many other boys. Many players made their debut for the national team in official tournaments. Lunin, Syrota, Bondar, Popov, Kachaраба, Pikhalyonok, Yagnatenko… I am glad that they gained confidence. They were at training camps, prepared. I am pleased with them. We move forward.

— You made 10 substitutions in the team lineup, which gave a group of players confidence in their own strength. Do you plan to put the same footballers on the field for the home match against Ireland or will you change the lineup?

— I don't look that far ahead. We have training tomorrow, June 11 – a game with Armenia. We'll see how it goes. Today we were supposed to play 11 new players but Eduard Sobol got sick. So Vitaliy Mykolenko played instead, whom I also know from childhood. He told me everything was fine and he would help out. In the future, we will look at the condition of the footballers.

Finally, I want to thank Ireland. You welcomed us very well. I walked around the city, people approached me wishing me success for Ukraine. You sheltered our women and children. Thank you all so much, see you soon in Lodz.