Head coach of the Ukrainian national team Serhiy Rebrov is actively working on resolving personnel issues before the important Nations League playoff match against Belgium. As IZ reports with reference to Terrikon, one of the key challenges has been finding a player who can replace Mykhailo Mudryk on the left flank of the attack, who is missing the game due to a doping scandal.
Rebrov has already tested several possible options during training. However, the final decision will be made after the arrival of all national teams playing abroad. The coach emphasized that in this two-match confrontation it is important to approach both meetings strategically, and not focus only on the first game.
“In training, we tried some options for this position. All the national teams that played abroad will join us – after that we will make a final decision. In this confrontation, it is important not to think only about the first game,” Rebrov said on the air of the Football360 program.
According to information, the most likely candidate to replace Mudryk is Oleksandr Nazarenko , a player from Zhytomyr Polissya who has proven himself well in the UPL. He has the necessary speed and technique, and has already demonstrated a high level of play in championship matches.
Ukraine will play its first match against Belgium on March 20 in Murcia, Spain, where it will nominally play as the host. The corresponding game will be held on March 23 away. The winner of this duel will have the opportunity to remain in the elite division of the Nations League.
Who exactly will replace Mudryk and whether this choice will meet the coaching staff's expectations will become known in the coming days.
As a reminder, we previously wrote about Newcastle defeating Liverpool and winning their first trophy in 70 years.