Taras Stepanenko: "At 35, my commitment to the national team hasn't changed"

10.10.2024 16:06

Ukrainian national team midfielder Taras Stepanenko, along with head coach Serhiy Rebrov, participated in a press conference ahead of the UEFA Nations League 2024/2025 match against Georgia.

— You have played alongside Irakli Azarovi, Georgi Gocholeishvili, and David Khocholava at the club level. What are your thoughts on the Georgian players?

— As for the players you mentioned, they are very good people, and their personal qualities are at a high level. We communicate very well with them. They are great players. The Georgian national team is strong, combat-ready, and well-coordinated. There are very talented footballers playing for top teams. Georgia is currently leading our group. Therefore, we are preparing very thoroughly and will strive to achieve a good result for us.

— Are you ready to play tomorrow? How are you feeling? What are your expectations for the match?

— When I first joined the Ukrainian national team, even at the youth level, it was a significant achievement for me. It should be the same for any footballer. When I previously had injuries, I still came to the national team and tried to help the squad. At 35, my commitment to the national team hasn't changed. Every fan, official, and player should understand this. All the players in the national team who are here give their all for the team. If you have a chance to play, you go out every day and work hard in training and after it to be ready. Every player in the Ukrainian national team prepares this way, feels the responsibility to their country, and will give everything on the field so that our fans are satisfied with the team. So it is not true that Ukrainian national team players do not want to play or do not give their all. Everyone who comes here is a responsible person who truly wants to help our country.

As a reminder, in October, Serhiy Rebrov's team will play two home matches in Group B1 of the UEFA Nations League 2024/2025 in Poland. On October 11, in the third round, the Blue and Yellows will host Georgia at Enea Stadion in Poznań, and on October 14, in the fourth round, they will face Czechia at Tarczyński Arena in Wrocław.