Dmytro Mykhailenko: "Italy's entire attack line is very strong"

20.07.2024 22:10

On the eve of tomorrow's match in the 3rd round of the EURO 2024 (U-19) group stage against Italy, the head coach of the Ukraine U-19, Dmytro Mykhailenko, answered the media questions.

— How are Synchuk and Oharkov, who were injured, and will they be able to play against Italy?

— Synchuk, fingers crossed, is on the mend. He says he feels good, and we hope everything will be fine by tomorrow. But we will make the final decision in the morning after additional tests. Mykola is unlikely to prepare for this game. The rest of the players are ready to fight and ready to win.

— Ukraine is currently the only team in the Euro that has neither conceded nor scored. What are you focusing on now to ensure the boys can score in the next match?

— You can't compare our matches with Northern Ireland, Norway, and Italy. If we were a little disappointed when we didn't score in the first game, then in the second match we didn't have such chances, and we were in a very difficult situation in the first half. Before the game with Italy, everyone understands that we need to win to reach the semifinals. So, we need to go out with a cool head, take risks, and do everything to create chances in both halves, maintaining balance — playing very carefully in defense while finding our chances in attack.

— How do you assess your next opponent, the Italian team?

— We are focusing both on the individual qualities of the Italians and on their team play. Italy is one of those teams that stands out in this tournament. They have very skilled players who can decide episodes with individual actions. I can highlight a few players, like Pafundi and Camarda — young but very talented. Italy's entire attack line is very strong.

— Do you look at the tournament table and calculate the scenarios under which Ukraine can reach the semifinals?

— I don't look at it. It's not difficult to calculate. Everything is clear here. We need to focus on our game, our qualities, and how we can improve them in such a short time.

— What is the mood and attitude within the team?

— I like the mood of the boys right now, I like how they communicate, and how they believe in themselves. They say they have good feelings, that they feel confident and strong enough to win. This is very important, without it, there is no point in going out on the pitch. Only faith and confidence will allow us to win.

— This is the first major tournament for the boys and for you as a coach. How does the Euro feel?

— First of all, it’s a responsibility. You understand that at this moment you are representing the whole country, which is at war, and many fans are behind you. This is additional motivation. And when everything starts, it’s very intense: games, theory, someone gets sick, someone gets injured... And there is no time to think about anything else. Only around midnight do you call your family and friends. Everything is very fast and very intense. It's like a blitz tournament, and it's crucial that everyone stays healthy, you always think about this, about the boys. But it's a very interesting experience because everyone lives together, you see everyone constantly, you communicate with the boys and with coaches from other teams, the opponents see each other. It's an interesting tournament format.

— The Euro is a platform for scouts, a chance to look at young players. Who do you think from the Ukrainian team can show the most progress soon and attract top clubs?

— That's right. The Euro is a showcase. Yesterday we watched the match between France and Denmark, and out of 600 fans in the stands, 50% were with laptops, writing something down. These are scouts looking at the new generation of players. And it’s a great opportunity to make a name for yourself. As for our players, I wouldn't want to single anyone out. There are players with great potential who are very close to adult football, primarily due to their mentality. They are all talented, of course, but what will drive them further is character and a stable psyche. They must clearly understand their goal, and what they want from their career. I'm confident that there are players here who will soon be able to help the national team.

EURO 2024 (U-19)

Group A: Northern Ireland, Norway, Italy, Ukraine.

July 15, 2024

Italy 2-1 Norway

Northern Ireland 0-0 Ukraine

July 18, 2024

Norway 0-0 Ukraine

Northern Ireland 0-3 Italy

Group A standings

July 21, 2024

Norway vs Northern Ireland (21:00, Belfast)

Ukraine vs Italy (21:00, Larne)

Group B: Denmark, Turkey, France, Spain.

July 16, 2024

Denmark 1-2 Spain

France 2-1 Turkey

July 19, 2024

Denmark vs France (17:30, Larne)

Turkey vs Spain (21:00, Belfast)

July 22, 2024

Turkey vs Denmark (21:00, Belfast)

Spain vs France (21:00, Larne)

July 25, 2024

Playoff Match for a spot in the 2025 U-20 World Cup

A3 vs B3 (18:30, Belfast)

Semi-Finals

A1 vs B2 (16:00, Belfast)

B1 vs A2 (21:00, Belfast)

July 28, 2024

Final

Winner 1 vs Winner 2 (21:00, Belfast)

All match times are in Kyiv time.

Ukraine's Roster for EURO 2024 (U-19)

Note: The statistics provided are from the EURO 2024 (U-19) qualifying round.