"Vorskla owes me five months' salary": Krupskyi on Shakhtar's interest, Kharkiv's ambitions, and the national team

Ilya Krupsky exclusively for "UF" talked about 9:0 in the Ukrainian Cup, a lesson after being eliminated by Chernihiv, and the upcoming match with Zorya.

Ilya Krupsky once chose Kharkiv over Shakhtar. Now the team competes in the UPL and aims to fight for medals, and Donetsk's interest in the footballer has not disappeared: the clubs have contacted again regarding a possible transfer.

In an exclusive interview with the journalist of the "Ukrainian Football" website Roman Prydi Ilya evaluated the episode with the disallowed penalty in the match against Shakhtar and explained the reasons for the post-match altercation. The footballer also shared how Kharkiv's foreign players are experiencing Russian attacks, why he brought 37 compatriots from Vinnytsia to the game, what he lacks for a call-up to the national team, and Vorskla's debts.

"Being praised won't add points to the standings."

— Ilya, let's start with the Ukrainian Cup. Kharkiv defeated amateur Kalynivka 9:0. How did you prepare for the game where an easy victory was expected from the team? How did you manage to avoid underestimation?

— First of all, we did not focus on the fact that Kalynivka is an amateur team. Everyone understood: regardless of the opponent's level, we need to move forward. In the previous round, we faced Obolon from the Premier League in the round of 32. There was no arrogance because previous experience clearly showed that football immediately punishes for complacency.

— What about last year's elimination by Chernihiv, who spent almost the entire semifinal with one player less, was it mentioned before the match?

— It's not like we specifically revisited that game, but it was etched in everyone's memory. So everyone approached the meeting as focused as possible.

— Let's talk about the recent match against Shakhtar. Kharkiv conceded in the first minute, but then created even more chances. After such a game, what was more prevalent: disappointment over the final result or confidence that the team can compete on equal terms with the champion?

— First of all, our game against the "miners" was a kind of reaction to the previous match against Polissya, which we played at a very high level. Of course, such confrontations prove that we can play on par with the giants and sometimes even outperform them.

It really boosts confidence. However, after the match with Donetsk, we received many compliments: they acted wonderfully, showed quality football. But we didn't win! Being praised won't add points to the standings. So we are grateful for the warm words, but now the most important thing is not to relax and start consistently earning our points.

"After the battle, fists are not waved."

— Nicola Rizzoli stated that a penalty should have been awarded for Yegor Nazarina's foul against Artem Smolyakov at the end of the first half. How did you perceive this explanation after the match? And what do you generally think about the refereeing at the start of the season, which is surrounded by so much controversy?

— As they say, after the battle, fists are not waved. We understood perfectly during the game that it was a clear penalty. During the break, the coaching staff confirmed it to us, and the guys even had time to review the replay themselves.

We approached the head referee and asked, "Did you see this moment?" He replied, "Guys, I didn't see anything, VAR decided everything." So in this situation, the question is not so much to the referee on the field as it is to the video assistants. They reviewed this episode, and in my opinion, they made a decision too quickly. They didn't even call the main referee to the monitor to personally assess the situation.

— After your shot, the ball ended up in Donetsk's net, but the goal was disallowed. Have you analyzed this episode? Do you agree with the referees' decision?

— The offside position was obvious there. There are no complaints to the referees — it's more of a question for our Itodo. But he is a forward and should finish when he has the opportunity, so I have no critical questions for him. It's just that we lacked luck somewhere for this episode to end with a clean goal.

— After the final whistle, there was an altercation in the tunnel. You said then that a foreign player must respect the country where he came to work. Why did this episode touch you so much?

— The thing is, he was making provocative gestures towards us. Behaving like that is simply unacceptable. I emphasized in the interview right after the match: if you are a foreign player, you must respect the country where you work and the people who live here. If you win — great, no questions. But even in moments of success, you need to know how to remain human.

"Kharkiv is focused solely on three points."

— Ahead of the match with Zorya, who has already beaten Kolos and Polissya in the first three rounds. What makes Viktor Skrypnyk's team the most dangerous now? After two consecutive defeats in the championship, will a draw be enough for Kharkiv?

— Let's focus on the quality of our game and the opponent's actions. This is a strong team with qualified performers. Especially notable is their quick transition phase. We analyze the game of the Luhansk team in detail and prepare for the match. I am confident that the confrontation will be very interesting. As for the result, only a victory will satisfy us. We do not even consider any other options. In each match, Kharkiv is focused solely on three points.

— Currently, Kharkiv has eight foreign players in the squad, and the team is based in Kyiv region, which is regularly subjected to Russian attacks. Recently, the stadium and training base of Chornomorets were damaged. How do foreign players in your team react to such news?

— They read the news even more often than us — they subscribe to monitoring Telegram channels and know when "Grad" rockets or missiles fly nearby.

Of course, it's hard to fully adapt to such situations, but they consciously took this step. The players knew that there is a war in Ukraine and Russia constantly shells. At first, it was a shock for them, but over time, they got used to it. There are nights when they have to go to shelters or spend the night in the parking lot, and the guys never ignore these safety rules. We all try to support them to the maximum — both players, coaching staff, and management. So, I believe they feel comfortable and protected in the team.

— Has anyone admitted that they are scared or regret coming to play in Ukraine?

— No one has said they regret their choice. Of course, there were moments when it was really scary — especially at night when a rocket flew nearby and it was very loud.But morning comes, training begins - and everyone returns to work.

- Recently you made a very warm gesture - brought 37 people to the match from Vinnytsia, including 15 graduates of your first football school. How did this idea come about?

- I had this idea since last season, but I couldn't realize it. The day before the game, I called my first coach and invited everyone to the match. I wanted to show the kids by example: nothing is impossible. I was once in their shoes and wanted to give them faith in their abilities.

I remember myself at their age very well. Back then, I dreamed not only of getting into big football by invitation, but at least getting someone's autograph on a shirt or taking a photo with a professional player. So, it was important for me to give this gift to young footballers and at the same time thank the coach for all the work he put into me to play at the highest level.

- Who from your close circle evaluates your game the most strictly and can say things that even the coach won't mention?

- My girlfriend Sofia. She is my toughest critic, always speaks directly to my face. She immediately asks, "Why didn't you pass there? Why didn't you shoot better?" But I take her comments with warmth - it shows that she cares about what I do.

"Contact with Shakhtar was made, but negotiations took place without my participation."

- Viktor Vatsko reported that Shakhtar tried to buy you again, but Kharkiv allegedly asked for ten million euros, while the buyout clause in your contract is twelve million. How accurate is this information?

- Let's say: there was indeed contact between the clubs, but negotiations took place without my involvement. Our president discussed all the details - probably with Darijo Srna or Serhiy Palkin. Honestly, I didn't delve into these nuances and don't have precise numbers.

- When you chose Kharkiv over Shakhtar, many people said that you preferred money over a Champions League team. Now the club consistently performs in the UPL and has European ambitions. Do you think you have already proven the correctness of your decision?

- I have no desire to prove anything to anyone, although I respect Shakhtar and the club's management. First of all, I want to convince myself that I made the right choice. And I confirmed this to myself in the first season when we fell just short of reaching the final.

But I am sincerely glad that I moved to Metalist 1925 at that time, now - Kharkiv. I highly appreciate the attitude of the president, management, and coaching staff towards me. I am immensely grateful to them for the opportunity to be in such a truly family atmosphere.

On my part, I strive to do everything in my power so that this team continues to fight only for medals and constantly remains among the leaders.

"They were twisting and turning something there."

- At the beginning of summer, Vorskla's general director Maxim Harus called your transfer a "murky story" and stated that the club received only 300 thousand euros. Do you understand what he was talking about and where did this figure come from?

- Honestly, no. This question is more for the then leadership - the president and vice president. They were twisting and turning something there, but I don't know the details of these financial stories.

- Has Vorskla fully settled with you?

- No, not at all. They owe me five months' salary - and still haven't paid anything.

- The youth national team is currently in third place, with crucial matches against Turkey and Croatia ahead. After wearing the captain's armband in the match in Hungary, do you feel a special responsibility for qualifying for the Euros?

- Of course. Stepping onto the field with the youth national team wearing the captain's armband was my dream. It's an incredible event for me. I feel responsible for qualifying for the European Championship and constantly tell the guys that we can do it. We have two small finals ahead - against Croatia and Turkey. I am confident that we will give our all to qualify for the Euros.

"I hope the call to the Ukrainian national team will not be delayed."

- You have been among the candidates for the Ukrainian national team for a long time, but have not yet received a debut call-up. In your opinion, what else do you need to take this final step?

- It's hard to say what exactly is missing. The final decision is made by the head coach. If I deserve this chance, I am convinced he will notice it and give me the opportunity to prove myself.

I need to demonstrate stable quality football from match to match and deliver results. At the same time, it is important for the team to win and be at the top of the league table. If all these factors come together as a whole, I hope the dream call-up to the national team will not be delayed.