The day before the UEFA Nations League-2024/2025 playoff match against Belgium, head coach of Ukraine's national team Serhiy Rebrov held a press conference.

— Will Artem Dovbyk be able to play?

— He will train with the main group, he had an individual training session yesterday. As far as I can see, everything is fine.

— Belgium's coach Rudi Garcia said that Ukraine impressed them. How closely are you now working with your team to impress the opponent again?

— I always have normal communication with players. I can't say that after the first game something changed. Everyone is in a work mood, everyone understands that it was just the first half. For tomorrow, everyone is very seriously prepared.

In the previous match, we played very disciplined in the first half but unfortunately not as aggressively. I am sure that playing at a high tempo for 90 minutes is difficult. That's why we added in the second half and made the result. Tomorrow will be an entirely different game. We are preparing for an aggressive opponent who will play at home and will be very motivated.

— How would you evaluate Yegor Yamoluk's debut? What is his role in your team?

— I am satisfied with all the players. I congratulated Yegor on a good match and his debut. He did what he was supposed to do. He played simply, didn't make mistakes, which was important at that moment. He understands the position he played in, but we sometimes change positions. I think this player is already competitive in our team, as he has shown.

— Did you consider calling up Illia Krups'kyi from the youth squad?

— Yes, we considered it. I like this player. But he hasn't played a single match at the national team level yet. There are footballers who have played as right-backs, for example, Bohdan Mykhailichenko with «Anderlecht» and «Polesia». On this position Oleksandr Zinchenko also played well. So there are options. It wasn't necessary to call up a player immediately.

I would be very pleased if we won 3-1 against Belgium in the qualifying cycle, but these matches are for places in the Nations League divisions. In my opinion, these games are very important for our people, for our fighters in terms of positive emotions. But this is not a game for World Cup qualification. However, it's a very important match for us. Now we have 23 players preparing. I am confident that tomorrow they will show their maximum.

We always thank the Armed Forces of Ukraine for having the opportunity to play football. It's good that we can play in Europe, and thank all our partners (including Belgium), who help us a lot. I remember when we played at Euro-2024, and the Belgian fans applauded as the Ukrainian anthem was played. This was an emotional moment. Sure, tomorrow the fans will support the Belgian team, but they respect Ukraine too. It's important that our national team plays in Europe, at a high level, representing our country on the continental stage.

We remind you that the return match will take place in Genk, Belgium, at Cegeka Arena on March 23 (kickoff - 9:45 PM Kyiv time).