Today in Polish Łódź, the blue-and-yellow team defeated Armenia and climbed to the top of Group V1 in the Nations League table. After the victory, head coach Oleksandr Petrakov addressed the press.

— How do you comment on Andriy Pyatov's decision to retire from the national team?

— I am grateful for everything he has done for Ukrainian football. It is very sad. He wanted it himself. He told me, «Vasylivych, there are already good boys, I need to give them a chance.» Tomorrow at six in the morning, he will leave from the team's camp.

— What are your impressions of the game?

— We won 3-0, played well, there were many chances. I congratulated the boys and we move forward.

— How would you evaluate the performance of players who came on as substitutes? Why did you react emotionally to the goals?

— I am such a person, in football it is necessary to celebrate at these moments. For these seconds you live. This is adrenaline, it's hard to convey. I was happy for the boys, for Karavaev...

Mykolenko came on as a substitute because Zinchenko was tired and got a yellow card. Vitaly came on and scored. I won't say what goal he was set. I asked him to organize defense. Zinchenko played in this position because Mykolenko had been playing three matches, while Sobol just started training.

Yarmolenko fell ill with a high fever. I told him not to play today. I think he will be ready by June 14th. Sirota also no longer has a fever; everything is fine with him.

— How did you feel the support from the stadium today?

— It's always good for coaches and players to play when there are fans. When they're not, it's bad. Today the atmosphere was simply wonderful, we were almost playing in Ukraine. The decision to agree to play in Łódź was right because a full stadium came, our compatriots. People celebrated, I saw their faces, they thanked us. Everyone wants to go home, everyone wants the war to end. We work for this so that they can celebrate. Thank you to all Ukrainians who supported us. And in Ukraine, everyone watched the game on TV and are proud of our country. We have a war going on... This means a lot to us and personally to me.

— Were there any gestures of support from opponents?

— Before the game, their head coach came with an interpreter, wished us good luck, hoping that the war would end soon. The boys thanked them after the match. The goalkeeper coach Berezhnyk came up to greet Pyatov.

You understand this is our war. I see that people are getting tired of Ukraine somewhere. We have to help ourselves, only we can do everything — end the war and rebuild the country. The world will help us, for which we will be very grateful.

— Is there any suspicion of an epidemic in the Ukrainian team?

— No, it's related to the weather in Wales — rain, wind, it was very cold. The boys didn't get sick right away but a few days later. Yarmolenko trained yesterday and everything was fine, but he called me last night saying he felt bad and had an IV drip. Sirota had a fever of 40 after flying from Ireland. I think it's just a chill. Everything is good, the situation is under control.

— Your team has five matches in June...

— It's all fine, the boys understand. We prepared for this, and I wanted there to be 27 players on the team. The boys are doing well, everyone is preparing, now there will be recovery. They follow what the medical staff suggests, no questions asked. I predict that the game against Ireland will be very tough.

— How would you evaluate Zinchenko's performance as a left-back?

— He plays there for Pep Guardiola. Everything good should continue. I gave Mykolenko a rest, so I asked Sasha to help the team. We have everything fine, we're in contact. In national football, players need to be able to play on two or three positions. I won't say where Zinchenko will play next time so that Ireland doesn't know.

— How will the team bid farewell to Pyatov?

— If you're hinting at a banquet, there won't be one. He's leaving at six in the morning. Andriy and I agreed that he would come to the national team when it gathers. Everything will be fine, he'll come to us, help the goalkeepers, give advice. So you understand, this is not my decision. It's Andriy Pyatov's decision. He's a very decent person, I wish him all the best. I think he still has good years ahead of him.