The national team of Ukraine continued their series of matches as part of preparation for the 2022 World Cup qualifiers and the 2022/2023 UEFA Nations League in a friendly match against Empoli in Italy.

In the previous preparatory game, the national team of Ukraine played against Borussia from Mönchengladbach (2:1). Since then, four foreign-based players have joined the squad. In contrast, Trubin left the national team to join the youth squad, and Bulharka could not play today due to an injury.

Our footballers once again took the field in a special kit of yellow color, as well as with flags of the European Union. Before the match, former head coach Andriy Shevchenko's assistant from the coaching staff, Andrea Maldera, addressed the team. The Ukrainian anthem was performed by People's Artist of Ukraine Natalia Karpova.

Photos by the press service of the UAF

Alexander Petrakov made five changes to the starting lineup compared to the previous match. Thus, Pyatov took over in goal, and Popov, Pihalionok, Tsygankov, and Yaremchuk came into the first eleven.

The opening of the game was dominated by Empoli, with Baldanzi being the most active player for the hosts. However, Pyatov denied the Italians initially, and later Tomazza shot wide of the far post. The Ukrainians responded with a decent strike from Pihalionok on target and a powerful attempt from Yaremchuk that missed the mark. On the 23rd minute, Kakace scored with a shot from the rebound forcing Pyatov to react.

Photos by the press service of the UAF

The first goal in the match was scored by the blue-and-yellow team — on the 26th minute, Tsygankov made a brilliant pass to slice through the opponents' defense, and Yaremchuk accurately shot into the near corner. The Ukrainians could have increased their lead. They missed several shots with Yaremchuk and Shaparenko failing to score, Yaremchuk hitting the post in one attack, and Stepanenko unable to finish off a chance. Near the end of the first half, Tsygankov escaped an offside trap but shot wide of the goalpost. In the next attack, Empoli managed to level the score — after poor defensive play by our team, La Mantia scored from his second attempt.

Photos by the press service of the UAF

Immediately after halftime, the Ukrainians went ahead again — Yaremchuk's shot from outside the penalty area was parried by Ukani, but Karavaev scored on the rebound. Later in the blue-and-yellow team, Yaremchuk and Pihalionok had good chances, though their shots lacked accuracy. On the 52nd minute, Mudryk excellently passed the ball into the penalty box, but he could not outwit the goalkeeper.

This pressure from the Ukrainians led to a third goal — Pihalionok scored with a bicycle kick in the far corner from mid-range distance, scoring his second goal in two games. Empoli had an opportunity to score another goal but Buzhan, who replaced Pyatov at halftime, saved well after Stulacz's shot from outside the penalty box.

Photos by the press service of the UAF

Subsequently, both teams exchanged chances. Cigankov's long-range shot was parried by Ukani, while Parizi responded with a similar effort to Buzhan's hands. Later, Verre missed from a good position, Yaremchuk failed to score after going one-on-one, and Bandinelli tested Buzhan.

Near the end of the match, an unpleasant incident occurred — Popov had to leave the field due to injury. Empoli created several chances in the final minutes but Buzhan was up to the task. Shaparenko wasted a good chance added by the referee, while Deli Innocenti's powerful shot hit the post. Therefore, Oleksandr Petrakov's wards secured a convincing victory — 3:1.

Friendship Match

«Empoli» (Italy) - Ukraine - 1:3 (1:1)

Goals: La Mantia (45) — Yaremchuk (26), Karavaev (46), Pihalionok (53).

«Empoli»: Ukani (Vallici, 78), Bolli (Stojanovic, 60), Ismaili (Evangelisti, 84), Vitto (Pezzola, 84), Kakace (Parizi, 60), Henderson (Aslani, 60), Stulacz (c) (Deli Innocenti, 60), Fazzini (Bandinelli, 60), Bayrami (Verre, 60), Baldanzi (Sodero, 81), La Mantia (Kutrone, 60).

Substitutes: Vicario, Benassi.

Captain and Coach: Aurelio Andreazzoli.

Ukraine: Pyatov (c) (Buzhan, 46), Zabarnyi, Popov (Bondar, 78), Matviyenko, Karavaev, Stepanenko, Shaparenko, Pihalionok (Sidorchuk, 84), Mudryk (Boyalkiy, 84), Tsygankov (Zubkov, 78), Yaremchuk (Dovbik, 78).

Substitutes: Syrota, Besedin, Konoplya, Kachaраба, Harmash, Ryzhnik, Sikan.

Captain and Coach: Oleksandr Petrakov.

Referee: Manuel Volpi (Italy).

May 17. Empoli. Stadio Carlo Castellani.

The blue-and-yellow team is scheduled to play another friendly match against Croatia's Rijeka tomorrow, May 18 (kick-off at 19:00 Kyiv time).