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. Mainly, back then, the field played against us. Many players were making their debut for the national team, probably there was some nervousness. 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 play very well. But I hope and am confident in this — tomorrow from the first minute on, 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 their mind since we have already refuted similar statements. I don't think any of the players will be fixated on this. Everyone is focused on a very important match and should show their maximum tomorrow. 

— After the first encounter, in Baku, you said that only towards the end of the game your wards started 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 we acted differently in attack. You saw that we had enough players in the opponent's penalty area, always having different options. Players need to understand they should create more opportunities in the opposition's penalty box and believe the ball will come to them. 

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

— A very complicated situation in the group. It is not excluded that at the end it will come down to goal difference against Iceland. Are there plans to score as many goals as possible to outscore Iceland?

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

— Confirm or deny inside information that you could be managing «Panathinaikos».

— There are clubs interested in coaches. Look what they did with Rebrov before this game. But when a club starts showing interest, immediately: "Oh, how can that be?! It's impossible." 

Indeed, there is interest because I've been doing well with the national team. There are clubs interested. But now I am working with the national team, respect 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 in the squad?

— 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 cannot say that he is already a leader of the national team. He needs to show high level 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 maximum capacity. 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 injured players besides Georgiy Sudakov?

— No, there are 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 best and gives 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 against Azerbaijan, we live in times when leaving Ukraine is very difficult. You mentioned Kryskiv — he missed his team's last game and I don't know what condition he is in, ready to play or not. I think those players who are here should do everything for victory tomorrow. I believe 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 play home matches here. The conditions here are always great. And I'm confident that tomorrow there will be not only Ukrainian but also Polish fans supporting Ukraine. 

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