Ermakov wants to join "Kharkiv": Bartulovich talks about the course of negotiations

Mladen Bartulovich is preparing Kharkiv for the new UPL season, in which the team from Slobozhanshchyna aims to take another step forward. During the offseason, Kharkiv continues to strengthen the team in order to create a competitive squad capable of challenging for top positions.

"We do not exclude that Polissya will pass Copenhagen and our match will be rescheduled"

– Mladen, half of the training sessions for Kharkiv are already behind. What can you say about two weeks of work in Austria?

– A challenging period for the players. We are trying to combine physical training with tactical work and rehearsing players' game combinations.

– Kharkiv has decent level sparring partners. Against such teams, were you able to gather more information on what needs to be improved?

– We have received a lot of information. Each team is in a different functional state. Somewhere it may be difficult when you are just starting to work, but it forces the players to give their all. It is evident that against good teams, everyone wants to show themselves in the best light. The result may not always be positive, but in other aspects, it will benefit us.

– How do you allocate resources during preparation?

– It is important for us to start gaining points from the first matches to go through this stretch in full readiness. In September, there will be a big break for national team matches, so there will be time to address shortcomings and keep the team in normal condition.

– When the calendar was announced, did it change your preparation plans?

– It did not change. Three points are at stake for each match – regardless of whether we play against Veres, Shakhtar, Polissya, or Zorya. We do not exclude that Polissya will pass Copenhagen and our match will be rescheduled. We also need to be prepared for this.

"Yermakov expressed a desire to return to Ukraine"

– Kharkiv has set a course for rejuvenation. Can we say that the players who left the team were successfully replaced?

– This certainly affects the team when experienced players leave. Qualified performers have come in their place, whom we are trying to integrate quickly into the team and our vision of football. I am confident that the players will help us from the first matches.

– Let's focus on the newcomers. Was it crucial for Kharkiv to get Yatsyk?

– The most important thing is that it was not only my wish but also the wish of the management to invite Sasha. I know him from working at Zorya, I know the role he played on the field. I have no doubt that Yatsyk will demonstrate his prime level in Kharkiv.

– Does having Latin American players in the team play into Profini's hands?

– It facilitates the adaptation process. At this stage, it is important that Raf is surrounded by players with whom he can easily communicate. He is gradually being introduced to the course of affairs. We, on our part, try to integrate him into our model.

– With the arrival of Parako, do other forwards feel the competition heating up?

– Carlos will make us more versatile in attack. There should be competition in this chain and the ability to change the game during the match. We have different setups that will help us in the new championship.

– Kharkiv planned to sign five new players this summer. Should we expect the other two to wait until the start of the championship?

– We still have time until the transfer window closes. New players may definitely appear.

– How do you assess the likelihood of signing goalkeeper Georgiy Yermakov?

– Zhor expressed a desire to return to Ukraine. Not everything depends on him. Negotiations with Maccabi are ongoing.

"Kalyuzhnyi made it clear that he ties his future with Kharkiv"

– Re-signing Kalyuzhnyi will help relieve the external pressure that Kharkiv has been under recently?

– I believe it affects the team. But the most important thing here is the player's position. Vanya is our captain and a very important player. He made it clear that he ties his future with Kharkiv, wants to be our leader, and progress together with the team. This gesture will have a positive impact on the team.

– The fact that the team finished in the top 5 last season, can it be a starting point for building a team for serious tasks?

– We, together with the club management, have developed a strategy for building the team. In the first year after returning to the UPL, we laid a good foundation. This process is not yet complete. We also understand that competitors are not sitting idle. We want to make sure that the result justifies the expectations of everyone working for the club, including the fans.

– What will be the biggest challenge for Kharkiv in the new season?

– Even during the last season, we felt that opponents were coming at us with a strong desire to prove themselves. We understood how to be competitive in the UPL. In our championship, we need to perform not only against the top teams but also against other teams.

– In terms of coaching experience, were you able to learn something new?

– Not only for me but for the entire staff. Over this year, we have become much more experienced, working on ourselves more, and learning.

– Has there been more calm on the coaching bench?

– You start to understand more about what needs to be said to the players. Sometimes you need to motivate the team, but if you constantly raise the tone, it will turn into white noise that few will perceive.

– The elimination by Chernihiv in the Ukrainian Cup semifinals was a real test for you. What helped stabilize the team that emotionally faltered?

– A difficult period, and the opponents were serious at that time. After that, we played against LNZ, Polissya, Zorya, Karpaty, and Epicenter. This crisis definitely made us stronger in terms of mentality and how to react correctly to such series.

– In your opinion, what is the key factor for the team to maintain its momentum?

– From the experience of the previous season, I can say that we came under pressure at the start. Later, we managed to stabilize. We started to react correctly to various stimuli.

"We have a responsibility to represent the city well"

– Kharkiv will play the new season at the "Levyi Bereh" stadium.

Will the team's return to Kyiv help attract a larger audience?

– It's only a plus. A great stadium where it's nice to play. Over the past year, we've traveled a lot. Every match was away for us, and towards the end of the championship, it took its toll. It's not easy to overcome a 3.5-hour journey from Schaslyve. From our side, we want to thank Zhytomyr and Polissya for hosting us, creating all the conditions for us to play our matches.

– The new season will start with a match against Veres for you. Considering the previous season, does this confrontation add more significance?

– Veres is the same opponent as the rest of the teams in our championship. It will be important for both teams to start the new championship better.

– Will the club's rebranding help strengthen the connection with the native city of Kharkiv?

– I think so. I still remember the crazy atmosphere at the Metalist OSC. Due to understandable circumstances, we cannot play in our city yet, but I can say that the club is actively trying to communicate with its audience.

– The team visited Kharkiv several times, met with fans. Did such an initiative help unite the team and the locals?

– This is very important. We have a responsibility to represent the city of Kharkiv well, which has great football traditions.

"No matter who leads the Croatian national team, expectations will be extremely high"

– The title sponsor of Kharkiv shows interest in Hajduk, which is well known to you. Will a potential alliance make the team stronger to challenge Dinamo Zagreb?

– It's too early to talk about it officially. Hajduk needs additional opportunities to be competitive. The financial situation requires significant investments. I hope that WhiteBIT and Hajduk will open a new chapter in the club's history. The whole city and the Dalmatia region are waiting for an investor to take the club to a new level.

– After Croatia's elimination, are there any teams left that you support in the 2026 World Cup?

– There are none left.

– Could you have hoped for more than the round of 16?

– There were few chances to beat Spain, even if everything had gone differently.

– Zlatko Dalic left the team after nine years. Can we say that a global overhaul has been long overdue?

– Many young players have grown up who will join the senior national team in the future. Everything will depend on how well the team is rebuilt to not lose the chances in the Euro qualifiers. No matter who leads the team, the expectations will be extremely high. The bar set by Dalic was very high.

– What do you think about Slaven Bilic's comeback?

– I have known Bilic for a long time. It will be the right choice. He has become an experienced coach. I have worked with him and I know that he will give his all for Croatia.