Serhii Sydorchuk: "All the boys understand the weight on their shoulders"

Tomorrow, on May 11th, the national team of Ukraine will play a friendly match in Germany against «Borussia» (Mönchengladbach) as part of their preparation for...

Serhii Sydorchuk: "All the boys understand the weight on their shoulders"

Photo by the press service of the UAF

Tomorrow, on May 11th, the national team of Ukraine will play a friendly match in Germany against «Borussia» (Mönchengladbach) as part of their preparation for the 2022 World Cup and Nations League qualifiers. The day before, midfielder Serhiy Sydorchuk participated in a press conference alongside head coach Oleksandr Petrakov.

— What does this match mean to you?

— First of all, we have started preparing for Scotland. I consider this more a preparatory match than an exhibition game. But at the same time, we do not forget what is happening in Ukraine right now. Just a few hours before the press conference, I saw lights from «Azovstal» with our wounded soldiers. So to say that it will be just another preparatory match does not come easy for me. This will also be an attempt to draw attention to what is happening in Ukraine right now.

— What emotions do you feel after returning to the national team's training camp?

— When you are called up for the national team, your emotions are always positive. For every kid who plays football, this is a dream from around six or seven years old. It’s always pleasant feelings...

— How do players live and play knowing about the situation in Ukraine? What significance does the match against Scotland take on?

— To be honest, we are not in the worst conditions when it comes to living. If you have seen what is happening in Ukraine, especially in the east and Odessa... We do not feel that, although at the beginning of the war everyone went through this. In the team, we don't discuss it; everyone has more or less the same thoughts, feelings, words. This is not propaganda from the other side because we live on our land, see what's happening firsthand, not just on TV. There can be no discussion here — everyone shares a common opinion. As for the game against Scotland, all the boys understand the weight they carry. It could be good news for all Ukrainians after the Lend-Lease agreement signed by the US. We are living through this match and hope that everything will work out for us.