Last Sunday, the Ukraine national team arrived in Prague via the traditional route through Przemyśl and Jarosław to begin preparations for their Euro 2024 qualifying matches against North Macedonia and Malta. Defender of the national team, Oleksandr Karavaev, spoke about upcoming opponents and personnel losses.

"If we look at the current state of world football, almost all teams are leveling up. Of course, there's a top-5, but everyone is trying to catch up with them. Even small countries like Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, or Malta are raising their level. Their players play in larger countries' leagues, so they improve their skills. It will be tough against every opponent, so we need to prepare for each game as if it were the last.

In our group, the tournament situation is such that a lot depends on each match. You can't say that you have to win two matches and then relax somewhere. We need to win all matches to be sure of finishing second with 100% certainty.

It's a shame that we don't currently have Viktor Tsygankov and Andriy Yarmolenko with us. They are our leaders, so it's a big loss. Viktor scored and assisted in the last matches for 'Girona'. And Yarmolenko scored... But things happened as they did. Even despite such losses, there is strong competition in the squad. For example, Oleksandr Zubkov is in great form. Nazariy Rusyn will arrive, who can play on any flank or at the tip of the attack without a problem. As for me, I am ready to play in any position where the coaching staff sees fit.

The absence of leaders even motivates other guys further. The best players currently available and most prepared with game practice are coming to the squad. All of them can help the team. We have a strong coaching staff that analyzes every match. They show us our matches as well as those of opponents. We prepare thoroughly and understand everything. So theoretically and physically, we are fully ready, but on the football field, we need to demonstrate 100% concentration so that everything goes as best as possible and implement the coach's instructions," emphasized Oleksandr Karavaev.

We remind you that the Euro 2024 qualifier match between Ukraine and North Macedonia will take place on October 14 in Prague (kick-off at 16:00 Kyiv time). The match with Malta, however, will be held on October 17 at the National Stadium in Ta' Qali (kick-off at 21:45 Kyiv time).