The Ukrainian national team, preparing for the EURO 2020 qualifiers against Lithuania and Portugal, held an open training session on Tuesday.
The open practice was announced in advance, so more than 6,000 fans watched it at the "Metalist" stadium in Kharkiv. Everyone who came received a small poster of the Ukrainian team, and the players also distributed 50 balls with their autographs. Some lucky ones managed to get the signature of their desired player or even take a selfie with them.
After the highly anticipated training session, Ukrainian national team coach Andriy Shevchenko shared his thoughts.
"Finally, we gathered, held our first training session, and I am satisfied with everything. The only concern is Vitaliy Mykolenko's minor injury. I don't know if he will be able to play, we will make a decision later, in a couple of days," Shevchenko said.
He also did not reveal whether there will be changes in the team compared to the matches in September in Vilnius: "It is too early to talk about possible rotations, in the upcoming training sessions, we need to evaluate the abilities of all players first."
Lithuania, having earned only 1 point, is the outsider of Group B. However, Shevchenko does not want to underestimate Friday's opponents: "We have already talked to the players about it. We have very important matches ahead. Everyone understands that winning will increase our chances of qualifying for the European Championship. Therefore, the team is focused and ready for a tough fight."
Ukrainian journalists also touched on the topic of rumors - there is increasing speculation that the national team's coach may receive an offer to coach "Milan" club, where he used to play.
"I have already commented on the rumors. There is a valid contract with the national team, and I don't even consider leaving. We have a goal, and I believe we will achieve it. I intend to work here until the end of the contract. When we didn't qualify for the World Cup two years ago, I told the fans to seek tickets to the European Championship. I want to fulfill that promise," said Shevchenko, whose contract with the Ukrainian Football Federation is valid until the end of the 2020 European Championship.
The match between the Ukrainian and Lithuanian national teams will take place on Friday at 21:45 in Kharkiv.
