The national team of Ukraine continued their series of matches as part of preparation for the 2022 World Cup qualifiers and the upcoming Euro Nations League-2022/2023 with a friendly match against Empoli in Italy.

In the previous preparatory game, Ukraine's national team faced Borussia from Mönchengladbach (2:1). Since then, four foreign-based players have joined the squad. In contrast, Trubin left the national team to join the youth squad, while Bulharka could not play today due to an injury.

Our footballers once again took the field in a special kit of yellow color, as well as with flags of the European Union. Before the match, former head coach Andriy Shevchenko's assistant — Andrea Maldera, addressed the team. The national anthem was performed by People's Artist of Ukraine Natalia Karp.

Photos courtesy of the UAF press service

Compared to the previous match, Oleksandr Petраков made five changes in the starting lineup. Thus, Pyatov took over in goal, and Popov, Pihalonyok, Tsygankov, and Yaremchuk appeared from the start.

The opening of the match was dominated by Empoli, with Baldanzi being the most active player for the hosts. However, Pyatov first prevented an Italian goal, and later Tommaso missed wide off the far post. The Ukrainians responded with a decent shot from Pihalonyok on target and a powerful attempt from Yaremchuk that went just wide. On the 23rd minute, Kakače scored with a header from a corner kick, forcing Pyatov into action.

Photos courtesy of the UAF press service

The first goal in the match was scored by Ukraine — on the 26th minute, Tsygankov made a brilliant pass to break through the opponents' defense, and Yaremchuk accurately shot into the near corner. The Ukrainians could have increased their lead further. They missed several shots, including one from Yaremchuk who hit the crossbar in an attack, while Stepanenko failed to score despite being clear on goal. Near the end of the first half, Tsygankov escaped offside and went one-on-one with the goalkeeper but shot wide. In the next attack, Empoli managed to respond — after a poor defensive effort from our team, La Mantia scored from his second attempt.

Photos courtesy of the UAF press service

Immediately after halftime, Ukraine went back ahead — Yaremchuk's shot from outside the penalty area was parried by Ukani, but Karavaev scored on the rebound. Later in the game, Yaremchuk and Pihalonyok had good chances for Ukraine, though their shots lacked accuracy. On the 52nd minute, Mudryk did well to send a pass into the box, but he failed to beat the goalkeeper.

This pressure from Ukraine led to the third goal — Pihalonyok scored with an excellent shot from distance into the far corner. Empoli could have pulled one back, but Búshchan saved well after a shot from Štulac from outside the penalty area.

Photos courtesy of the UAF press service

Subsequently, both teams exchanged moments. Ukani parried a shot from Tsygankov, while Parizi responded similarly to Búshchan's hands. Later, Verre missed wide off the far post from a good position, Yaremchuk failed to score on a one-on-one with the goalkeeper, and Bandinelli tested Búshchan.

Near the end of the match, an unpleasant incident occurred — Popov had to leave the field due to injury. Empoli created several chances in the final minutes but Búshchan was up to the task. Shaparenko wasted a good chance in added time, while Deli Innocenti's powerful shot hit the crossbar. Thus, Oleksandr Petраков's team secured a convincing victory — 3:1.

Friendship Match

«Empoli» (Italy) — Ukraine — 1:3 (1:1)

Goals: La Mantia (45) — Yaremchuk (26), Karavaev (46), Pihalonyok (53).

«Empoli»: Ukani (Vallici, 78), Bolli (Stojanovic, 60), Ismaili (Evangelisti, 84), Viti (Pezzola, 84), Kakače (Parizi, 60), Henderson (Aslani, 60), Štulac (k) (Deli Innocenti, 60), Faccini (Bandinelli, 60), Bayrami (Verre, 60), Baldanzi (Sodero, 81), La Mantia (Kutrone, 60).

Substitutes: Vicario, Benassi.

Coach: Aurelio Andreazzoli.

Ukraine: Pyatov (k) (Búshchan, 46), Zabarnyi, Popov (Bondar, 78), Matviyenko, Karavaev, Stepanenko, Shaparenko, Pihalonyok (Sidorchuk, 84), Mudryk (Boyalko, 84), Tsygankov (Zubkov, 78), Yaremchuk (Dovbik, 78).

Substitutes: Syrota, Besedin, Konoplya, Kachaраба, Harmash, Ryzhnik, Sikan.

Coach: Oleksandr Petраков.

Referee: Manuel Volpi (Italy).

May 17. Empoli. Stadio Carlo Castellani.

Next, the blue-and-yellow team has a friendly match planned against Croatia's Rijeka, which will take place tomorrow, May 18 (kick-off at 19:00 Kyiv time).