In German Mönchengladbach at the Borussia Park stadium, the national team of Ukraine began a series of matches in preparation for the 2022 World Cup playoffs and the June qualifiers for the UEFA Nations League 2022/2023 with a friendly match against the local Borussia.

We remind you that the World Cup qualifier against Scotland, which was scheduled to take place on March 24 in Glasgow, has been rescheduled for June 1 due to Russia's invasion of Ukraine. Therefore, this year, the blue and yellow team gathered together only on May 1 in Slovenia, where they are preparing for official matches.

In the first friendly match in Mönchengladbach, the Ukrainian national team faced the local Borussia. It should be noted that today entry to the Borussia Park stadium was free for Ukrainians.

Photo by the press service of the UAF

Our footballers took to the field in a special kit of yellow color. The Ukrainian anthem was performed by well-known Ukrainian singer Christina Solovyova, and our players were dressed in special t-shirts on which the names of settlements affected by Russia's military aggression are listed. Also, before the start of the match, the players lined up with a banner STOP WAR. It should be noted that the main referee for the first half was Ukrainian Denis Shurman, who is temporarily working in Germany.

Photo by the press service of the UAF

Considering that foreign players have not yet arrived at the team's location, Oleksandr Petrakov fielded an experimental starting lineup exclusively with players from Ukrainian Premier League clubs. Due to injuries, those called up by the coach could not play today — Tsygankov, Hutsulak, Kornienko and Krivtsov, while Trubin remained outside the squad. Meanwhile, Mudryk made his debut in the national team.

And it was Mudryk who became the main hero of the match start — on the 9th minute after a beautiful cross from Shaparenko from deep inside, Mudryk outmaneuvered both the defender and goalkeeper and sent the ball into an empty net. The Germans responded with Plesa's shot at goal. Shortly thereafter, Mudryk made a great long-range effort — Sommer was on hand to save it. However, on the 14th minute Borussia equalized — Konoplya made a mistake, and Noss scored in the near corner without giving Buschan any chance.

Photo by the press service of the UAF

The most dangerous player for the blue and yellow remained Mudryk — after his runs and crosses near Sommer's goal, regular danger arose. In the middle of the first half there were moments in favor of the hosts — first Plesa put the ball into the net but was flagged offside, later Herrmann shot over the bar.

On the 36th minute Karavaev sent the ball to a breakaway Mudryk, but our winger could not score. Just before halftime, Mudryk beautifully launched a counterattack from the left flank, set up Shaparenko one-on-one with the goalkeeper, but Sommer won the duel.

Photo by the press service of the UAF

After halftime, the Shakhtar winger continued to break down his opponent's defense. First Mudryk passed for Sidorchuk to shoot but Sergei missed wide. Later, himself, Mudryk broke through from the left flank into goalkeeping territory, outmaneuvered the keeper, but Elvedi cleared the ball off the line. Borussia responded with a long-range shot by Noyhous that went just past the near post. On the 67th minute Sidorchuk made an effort from distance — Zippel saved it. Later in the hosts, Bennett scored over the target from a good position. On the 81st minute Bondar failed to close off the far post after a corner.

Decisively for the match was Petrakov's substitution — Pikhalyonok made his mark, who, like Mudryk, debuted in the squad. On the 82nd minute Ukrainians pressed well and after Harmash's pass Pikhalyonok scored from outside the penalty area.

Photo by the press service of the UAF

At the end of the match, Riznyk made a great save, also Sidorchuk scored well from distance. In summary, blue and yellow managed to maintain their winning score and please fans in the first match of this year.

Friendlies

Borussia (Mönchengladbach, Germany) — Ukraine — 1:2 (1:1)

Goals: Noss (14) — Mudryk (9), Pikhalyonok (82).

Borussia: Sommer (Zippel, 46), Friedrich (Bensebaini, 46), Herrmann (Emboló, 46), Stindl (c) (Kone, 46), Plesa (Bennett, 46), Gohmann (Netz, 46), Hinter (Lainer, 46), Schelle, Elvedi (Müzell, 69), Noss (Noyhous, 46), Raitz.

Coach: Adi Hütter.

Ukraine: Buschan (Riznyk, 46), Konoplya (Popov, 46), Zabarny, Matviyenko, Karavaev, Sidorchuk, Stepanenko (c) (Pikhalyonok, 75), Mudryk (Buletsa, 69), Shaparenko (Syrota, 79), Buyalskyi (Bondar, 46), Besedin (Harmash, 69).

Reserves: Pyatov, Dovbik.

Coach: Oleksandr Petrakov.

Referee: Denis Shurman (Ukraine) — 1st half, Daniel Ziebert (Germany) — 2nd half.

May 11. Mönchengladbach. Borussia Park.

Ahead of the blue and yellow are scheduled friendly matches against Italian Empoli (May 17) and Croatian Rijeka (May 18).