Before the Euro-2027 qualifier matches against Hungary and Lithuania, the head coach of Ukraine's youth national football team gave an interview to the UAFA press office, sharing his thoughts on upcoming games and preparation for them.

— How is the team preparing for the upcoming matches against Hungary and Lithuania?
— We are preparing for the match in a routine manner. During the stage preceding the camp, we carried out a very thorough job: deeply analyzed our own game model, individually monitored players, and conducted "live" scouting both in Spain and Turkey, where Ukrainian clubs were based at that moment. Of course, we also dedicated time to analyzing our opponents. Now, during the camp, each of us has to fully exert ourselves, polish details, and demonstrate a confident performance in matches against Hungary and Lithuania.

— What were the key decisions regarding the squad selection for these games?
— When making decisions about squad selection, we always weigh several factors. Key factors are a player's game profile (especially in the context of the style of play we aim to see from our team), his potential for further development and current form. The importance of each of these aspects can vary depending on circumstances, but we try to look into the future. We work for the benefit of the entire youth national team institution, not just our squad, which influences every one of our decisions. After all, apart from current results, we lay the foundation for the future of the whole national team.

— Are there any injured or absent players that affected your plans?
— As a youth national team, we always coordinate our work with the needs of the main national team. When our players are called up to the main squad, we see this not as a loss but as an acknowledgment of their collective efforts and a chance for the entire team to grow. In any case, we do not consider the absence of certain performers problematic, especially when it comes to supporting the national team — that is a natural path of player development. Similarly, even if a player is injured and cannot be called up now, our approach to such situations is important. Every absence opens space for other players to showcase their abilities, learn, grow, and take responsibility. In football, as in life, any new situation — it's an opportunity to look at the situation from a perspective and build the future with confidence.

Photo by Andriy Harbovsky

— How would you evaluate Hungary and Lithuania as opponents? What are their main strengths? —Hungary and Lithuania — worthy opponents known for their tactical organization, disciplined work, and intensity they demonstrate in every match. Both teams have shown progress over the past years by refining internal processes and improving collective play, making them serious and demanding opponents. Despite this, our focus is on our own path: how this generation can continue to grow, develop its qualities, and ultimately showcase their best version of the game in each match.

— What are the goals for these two matches?
Our goals over these ten days are set at both a collective and individual level. Each player has their own path within the structure of the national team, and it is extremely important to support and respect their personal development process. As a team, we strive to make the most effective use of every day in camp: work comprehensively, solidify our identity as a team, and refine our style of play. These days also give us an opportunity to test new players, assess their adaptation to the collective, and see how they can strengthen the team while always keeping the development of each footballer and evolution of the national team as a whole in focus.

— Should we expect different tactical approaches in matches against Hungary and Lithuania?
Each match is a separate world, and our approach must take this reality into account without losing sight of our own essence. Hungary and Lithuania present us with different tasks, but it's not about radical changes to the style; rather, it's about fine-tuning nuances: intensity, positional play, collective movements. These are details that can decide the fate of a game, but they always rest on the philosophy of football we strive to cement. It is important not just to execute instructions but to be present in the game — understand it as a shared space where every action has meaning. Thus, each tactical adjustment becomes a dialogue between our identity and that of the opponent, with the main goal being the growth of the team and revealing its best qualities.

— What is the atmosphere in the team now?
There is a constant contact between players and the coaching staff, based on mutual understanding and respect. High standards are part of our daily work but are not perceived as empty pressure — rather, they are an aware form of care aimed at individual and collective development. This is an environment where attention, presence, and sincerity are just as important as game statistics. It's a place where every gesture, conversation, and effort works towards creating a strong, conscious team that constantly evolves.

Photo by Andriy Harbovsky