Kyrylo Nesterenko has openly criticized "Partizan" Belgrade for participating in a friendly tournament in Russia ahead of their upcoming Conference League qualifier. The Oleksandriya head coach expressed strong disapproval during his pre-match press conference.
"We do not support the actions of "Partizan" football club regarding their participation in a friendly tournament in Russia. Our club considers this unfriendly toward us. This is the position of our club and the Ukrainian people," – stated Nesterenko.
Nesterenko reminded everyone about the ongoing situation in Ukraine, thanking Ukrainian defenders who make it possible for his team to represent their country internationally. Despite this tension, he acknowledged the Serbian team's strengths.
"The strength of "Partizan" lies in their youth and speed," he noted. "I respect their head coach and know his style well. We've faced each other before with different teams, and those matches were spectacular. I believe fans will enjoy the upcoming game."
Regarding his team's preparation, Nesterenko was honest about their readiness. "I believe we are about 70-80% ready for this match. You need to understand that final readiness only comes through official matches," he explained.
Interestingly, Oleksandriya has a relatively young squad that's still developing understanding on the pitch. The coach mentioned he would have preferred more preparation time but sees positive signs during training sessions as players grasp what the coaching staff wants from them.
When asked about potential pressure for this debut European match, Nesterenko remained composed. "There will be pressure on both players and coaches throughout the game. But we've prepared quite well, and I know what to expect from my team. We approach the match with confidence."
The first leg between Oleksandriya and "Partizan" kicks off today at 20:00 Kyiv time. Can the Ukrainian vice-champions overcome both the football challenge and the political tensions surrounding this fixture?
