Ukraine coach: All of us want to move up to League A

On the eve of the Nations League match against Scotland, the head coach of the national team of Ukraine, Oleksandr Petrakov, spoke to the media.

— This is the specifics of the national team — every game is of great responsibility. The level of matches is very high. Here, one game is worth 10 games of the domestic championship. The match of the national team is a very serious level and a very big responsibility.

— In the previous September matches, against Scotland and Armenia, you played with two different starting lineups. Will the line-up decision for tomorrow's game be one of the most difficult of your career?
- No, it won't. In no way do I want to insult the Armenian national team, but the difference in individual level between them and the players of Scotland is very big. There football players play in the English Premier League. Therefore, our guys are well prepared, they did what they were asked to do. There will be changes, as always in football. However, it is not difficult for me.

— Do you think that tomorrow your team will be able to play stronger than it was in Glasgow a few days ago?
— In June, we beat this opponent - 3:1, and now we lost to Glasgow - 0:3. So we have parity. I would like to add that I thank the Scottish Football Association, the head coach and the team for agreeing back in March to postpone our games because of the war. They could have refused, but they did not, for that I am very grateful.

— After the previous match with Scotland, you said that the absence of such experienced performers as Zinchenko affected the result...
— I don't want to offend anyone, but we are not a country like France or Spain, which are capable of having three or four equal teams. Two or three of our players are out... It is very difficult for us when one of the main players do not play. Like I said before, we don't have a core lineup per se, but I want one. We miss Bushchan, Zinchenko, Shaparenko...

— Will the match against Scotland be your last in charge of the national team, as your contract expires this year?
- There are no negotiations. Tomorrow is the game, after it you will know everything. This is a question for the president of UAF.

— How important is it for you to break into the top division of the League of Nations?
— All of us, the boys and the coaching staff, want to move up to League A.