Ukraine's national team midfielder Oleksandr Zinchenko participated in a press conference ahead of the Euro-2024 qualification match against England alongside head coach Serhiy Rebrov.

— You have two upcoming matches — against the group favorite and main rival. Which one is more important in terms of tournament competition?

— I am very grateful for having many coaches who taught me valuable things. One of them was Oleksandr Borisovich Golovko, who taught us to think and speak about the most important game being today's one. We don't look at the standings, who is the favorite, how much a team costs... In football, all sorts of things happen. We have our own dream, our goal. We are slowly working towards it.

— Wroclaw has many Ukrainians living there. How will you feel their support? Is this an additional opportunity to remind the world that a war is ongoing in Ukraine and that the national team has been playing away from home for quite some time?

— First of all, I want to thank Poland and Poles for their support during these difficult times. I have friends who live in Wroclaw, I know how friendly they are and how much they try to help us. Of course, I expect the stadium to be filled with blue-and-yellow colors because I know many Ukrainians live here. I think it will create a great atmosphere and good game since both teams play beautiful football. It will be very interesting for fans. But it's impossible to say that this will be the same atmosphere as during our matches in Ukraine. Because at home even the air is different. I can't wait until we return. We dream about it.

— What does it mean to you to play and represent Ukraine at such a difficult time for her?

— If we talk only about football, then it's an international language. We all understand what football is, enjoy this game. I try to use every opportunity and consider it my duty to tell people about the war, remind the world of what is happening. The main thing I want to say — thank you to the Ukrainian army for allowing me to play and represent Ukraine at such a high level.

When we played for youth teams, the coach used to say that wherever we go abroad, no matter where we are — we must remember that we are representatives of our country. So as a player who plays outside my home country, I constantly show everyone what is happening and how terrible the situation is in Ukraine. Unfortunately, there's a lot of propaganda everywhere now. This also challenges me to speak the truth about what is happening in Ukraine.

— You are a professional footballer and an emotional person who represents your country. How do you manage what's in your heart and mind when you step onto the field?

— Good question. I used to hear this often, but now I have an answer. When you step on the field, you think about people who risk their lives fighting for Ukraine's independence. They also have families and a life of their own, but they risk it all, stand at the forefront, do everything so that our country exists. Knowing this, there is no regret towards yourself. You just go out and play.

Let us remind you that the Euro-2024 qualifier match between Ukraine's national team and England will take place on September 9 in Wroclaw (kick-off at 19:00 Kyiv time).