Yesterday evening, the national team of Ukraine conducted their first training session ahead of the final round of matches in the 2022/2023 Nations League. The blue and yellow team trained in Warsaw on the field of a fourth-division Polish club called "Gutnik." Midfielder Andriy Yarmolenko, who plays for Al-Ain (UAE), commented on the preparation for their away game against Scotland.

"I arrived at our team camp for the first time from Al-Ain. I returned from a scorching climate to European latitudes. Of course, this is not easy, and I need some time to adjust. But nothing terrible. As for the Emirates, there are all conditions for good football. Quality fields, quite decent league level... So I am satisfied with my decision regarding the transfer. And I missed the European weather — you can walk around, breathe fresh air because it's very hot there. You have to train at temperatures of +40°C and sometimes even higher. Here it is easier to breathe, especially when you are closer to Ukraine."

We have tough matches ahead with long travels to Scotland and Armenia, but I approach this as always, with a positive attitude. I know our players, I know our potential, and I know what kind of football we can play. We respect all opponents but are not afraid of anyone. We know for whom we are playing.

Of course, I cannot say anything about future results now, but I want to promise our fans that we will give everything and play so that they won't be ashamed of us. And the result will show what it is. But I know that if you give your all, the result comes later.

The recent encounter with Scotland, in my opinion, is already history. Now we have another tournament, so we are preparing for this match as any other — with a mindset. When all the guys finally gather, I am confident that we will analyze our opponent's game and the head coach will give instructions based on which we can achieve victory. The preparation is going its course. I'm glad to see everyone again; I missed them.

Our situation is somewhat complicated by personnel losses — Zinchenko, Shaparenko, Bushchan. Of course, these guys are very important for the national team, but no one in football is insured against injuries. We all hope they will recover as soon as possible and we wait for them. However, at this point, we have to play without them. We consider this an opportunity for other players to show the coaching staff what they can do.

I closely follow news from the front lines; there are positive moments, but I well understand the price paid for them as many of our military personnel die. On one hand, we rejoice that we are returning our cities and villages, while on the other — we mourn irreparable losses. All I can say is that our entire national team is very grateful to Ukraine's defenders. Without them, there would be no football for us.

So we may have tough travel schedules ahead, but considering our soldiers at the front lines, we should not complain. It is hard for our soldiers, but I haven't seen any of them giving up or complaining about hardships. So we don't have the right to do that either. We must give all our strength for our country and bring joy to people so they can take a break from current events and enjoy the successes of the national team."

Recall that the Nations League match between Scotland and Ukraine will take place on September 21 in Glasgow at Hampden Park (kickoff — 9:45 PM).