Today, October 12, ahead of the World Cup 2026 qualifier match against Azerbaijan in Krakow, head coach of Ukraine's national team Serhiy Rebrov held a press conference.

— Mr. Serhiy, it was a pleasant draw with Azerbaijan in Baku. What needs to be done to avoid repeating those mistakes? What is the main focus?

— This will be an entirely different game. Firstly, back then, the field really hindered us. Many players were playing for the national team for the first time, probably feeling nervous. But I am confident that now, after Iceland, the players will come out more assured. I don't know why we always react to our failures. When we lose, we give a very good performance. But I hope and am confident that tomorrow, from the first minute, the boys will show their strength, demonstrate that these points are much more important for us than for Azerbaijan's team.

— The second matches of the national team are worse than the first ones. How to avoid such a situation?

— I am confident that we are in equal conditions with Azerbaijan, but for us this game is much more important considering the situation. I don't think anyone holds this in mind since we have already refuted similar statements. I don't think any of the players are fixated on this. Everyone is focused on a very important match and should show their maximum tomorrow.

— After the first game, in Baku, you said that only towards the end of the game did your wards start to pressure Azerbaijan's penalty area. How ready will the team be to act actively from the first minutes — considering the tough match against Iceland?

— Now we are analyzing the game with Iceland, where our approach in attack was completely different. You saw that we had enough players in the opponent's penalty area, always having various options. Players need to understand they should create more opportunities in the opponent’s penalty area and believe the ball will come to them.

Analyzing the match with Azerbaijan — then not many players were in the opposition's penalty area, and we didn't put as much pressure on the opponent.

— A very difficult situation in the group. It is possible that at the end it will come down to goals scored versus conceded. Is there a plan to score as many as possible to outscore Iceland?

— I never tell players, 'We score one goal and sit back in defense.' I believe the opposite — if we score, we should keep going forward. There are many cases where we win 1-0 but concede a late goal. In this qualifier, just like at Euro, goals scored count as well as points. So it is very important to score as much as possible when there's an opportunity. But first and foremost for us tomorrow is to secure three points.

— Confirm or deny inside information that you may be taking over Panathinaikos.

— There are clubs interested in coaches. Look what they did with Rebrov before this game. But when a club starts showing interest, immediately it's like, 'Oh, how can that happen?! It just can't be.'

Indeed, there is interest because I've done well with the national team. There are clubs interested. But now I am working in the national squad, respecting my country and will definitely work with my team until the end.

— Considering Voloshyn's speed and dynamism, can we say that he is gradually becoming a new Mudsryk for the national team? And if in numbers — who is currently the fastest player on the team?

— Unfortunately, we don't have time to give players maximum workload and check their speed. But I think Nazar played a good game against Iceland. However, at the same time, I can't say he is already a leader of the national team yet. He needs to show high levels both in his club and for the national team. Every player who comes out... It doesn’t matter if it's 90 minutes or five or ten. I see everyone playing at their maximum. This was Nazar’s second game with the national team, and he helped us a lot.

— What is the squad situation? Is Yarmoluk ready to play tomorrow? Are there any other injuries besides Georgiy Sudakov?

— No, no other injuries. Yegor trained with the main group yesterday and trains today as well. We'll see if he is 100% ready. It's important that everyone who plays tomorrow is at their maximum.

— In the reserve list, there are two footballers — Dmytro Kryskiv and Oleksandr Pykhalyonok. Why weren't they called up considering Sudakov’s injury and Yarmoluk's recovery? And generally, what is this list for?

— We give the main squad four weeks before a game. In that time, teams like Shakhtar and Dynamo play seven matches each, so it's very hard to predict. If someone gets injured or something else happens, there is a reserve.

If we talk about the situation before the match with Azerbaijan, we live in times when it’s difficult for players from Ukraine to travel abroad. You mentioned Kryskiv — he missed his last game and I don't know what condition he's in, whether ready to play or not. I believe those who are here should do everything for victory tomorrow. I think there are enough players.

I want to address Ukrainian fans. Your support is very important for us. And generally, I am very grateful to Poland for giving us the opportunity to host home matches here. The conditions here are always great. And I'm confident that tomorrow at the stadium there will not only be Ukrainian supporters but also Poles supporting Ukraine.

Reminder, the World Cup 2026 qualifier match between Ukraine and Azerbaijan will take place on October 13 in Krakow (kick-off — 9:45 PM Kyiv time).