Yesterday, the blue-and-yellow arrived in Glasgow, where on June 1 they will play a playoff match for qualification to the 2022 World Cup against Scotland (kickoff at 21:45 Kyiv time). The day before the important game, half-back of the Ukrainian national team Alexander Zinchenko took part in a press conference alongside head coach Oleksandr Petrakov.

— How do you feel ahead of tomorrow's match?

— First, I would like to thank the Scottish Football Association, their national team, coaching staff and players for all the support and help given to the Ukrainian people. I spoke with several players from Scotland’s national team. I am very grateful to them for their support.

The mood is fighting. Each player understands the situation in our country. I want to assure everyone that tomorrow each of us will give 200 percent, not just 100.

— Tomorrow before the match supporters will be given special leaflets with Ukraine's National Anthem so that Scots can perform it together with Ukrainians. How do you perceive this initiative?

— I perceive it very well. Once again, thank you to all of Scotland for their support and help to Ukraine. I perceive this initiative very well because we need to be united in this situation. We need to defeat Russian aggression and stop the war.

— What are your feelings after the start of Russian aggression?

— You can ask any Ukrainian – the answer will be the same. It is impossible to describe the feeling if you haven't experienced it yourself. The things happening in our country now cannot be described. That's why we need to stop this aggression together. We must win because Ukraine is a land of freedom, and it never gives up. Perhaps many countries do not understand that today it is Ukraine, but tomorrow it could be them. That’s why we have to be united and defeat Russian aggression.

— When the war in Ukraine began, did you want to return home or stay in Manchester and help your country from there?

— I have never held a weapon in my hands throughout my life. I will be more useful for Ukraine by staying in England, helping with humanitarian aid, giving interviews or writing on social media. I need to share this and show the truth about what is happening in Ukraine now. In this regard, I agree with what Andriy Shevchenko said.

— How special will the match against Scotland be? What does it mean?

— Every Ukrainian has one main dream – to stop the war. I have spoken with people from different countries, and even with small Ukrainian children. They do not understand anything but say one thing. They dream that the war will end. But if we talk about football, then we also have a dream – to go to the World Cup and give these emotions to Ukrainians in this difficult time because they deserve it.

I am sure that all of Ukraine will be watching us tomorrow. We will feel their support. We can talk a lot, but we need to prove everything on the field. Tomorrow we will try to make our people happy and proud.