Andrea Maldera, head coach of the Ukraine national team, shared his expectations ahead of the upcoming UEFA Nations League fixtures. The “Blue and Yellow” are set to face Hungary, Georgia, and Northern Ireland in the coming matches.
“In these four games, maintaining a healthy balance will be crucial. We shouldn’t focus solely on the results. If we win, there’s no need for excessive celebration. Conversely, if we lose, we must avoid falling into deep negativity or depression.
We are playing almost every three days. What I expect from the players and the coaching staff is balance. Of course, sporting results are a fundamental aspect. I believe the matches will be quite evenly contested. Perhaps the outcome will be decided by a single moment or an individual action from the players—hopefully from ours. My personal goal, which I’ve also shared with the team, is to win all the matches and to shape the team’s identity, which is not an easy task for me.
You can see 30 names on the screen now. My aim is not just to list these 30 players on paper but to build a cohesive team unit. Many coaches say this takes weeks, but we have literally three days. Among these 30 players, many will be making their debuts. One of my objectives is to develop a team that will gradually improve technically and perform well.
For me personally, this is the biggest challenge. I believe that having a long-term identity can be very important for the team. My coaching staff and I will work hard on this. I can guarantee the players will put in a lot of effort as well. I don’t know if this will be enough for victories, but I hope so. We will work at full capacity. Recovery between matches will be a critical and decisive factor for us. That’s why we called up 30 players,” Maldera explained.
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