Serhiy Rebrov analyzed his team's performance after Ukraine lost to France in the opening match of the 2026 World Cup qualification campaign.
"In the first half we played quite well, although we were more defensive. We reached the final zone, but there were almost no shots, no finishing. In the second half we improved in this component," – the Ukrainian coach explained.
Rebrov pointed out that while his team created several opportunities, they failed to convert them into goals – a critical factor when facing opponents of France's caliber. He noted that the French side played more conservatively after taking the lead, which allowed "Ukraine" more possession.
"When you play against such a strong team and don't capitalize on your chances, you lose," – he added.
The atmosphere at the stadium in Wroclaw left a strong impression on the coach. Rebrov expressed deep gratitude to the supporters who created an inspiring environment for his players. By the way, this was "Ukraine's" fourth match in the Polish city, and the coach emphasized that the fan support has been exceptional each time.
When questioned about his tactical decisions, Rebrov defended his choice regarding midfielder Kaluzhny. "I don't consider Kaluzhny our only player for the defensive midfielder position. There's Ocheretko, who plays in this position at Shakhtar," he explained.
The coach also revealed why he substituted Yehor Yarmolyuk during the match: "I've seen many Brentford matches where he was also taken off toward the end of the game – he always performs a huge amount of work. We really need him for the next game."
"Ukraine" will now travel to face Azerbaijan in their next qualification match. Can Rebrov's squad bounce back and secure their first points in the campaign?
