"Fisherman felt unwell in the locker room": Yurchenko on the completion of the Zorya - FC Kharkiv match
Vladlen Yurchenko exclusively for "UF" commented on the unusual completion of the match Zorya - FC Kharkiv (0:3), change of position, and readiness for UPL.
This is the first case in Kyiv during years of full-scale war when due to an air alarm, the match could not be completed on the planned date. The teams managed to play 51 minutes, after which the game was postponed to the next day. FC Kharkiv had to take a forced break, leading 1:0, and the next day scored two more goals during the completion and won the match - 3:0.
After the match, we talked to Vladlen Yurchenko, who did not enter the field on the first day but came out from the first minutes of the completion due to a change in the tactical plan caused by unforeseen circumstances. In an exclusive interview with the website "Ukrainian Football", Zorya's attacking midfielder talked about the unusual completion of the match with FC Kharkiv, the forced change of position, the key moment of the game, and his assessment of readiness for Premier League matches after a long break.
"What can you do? We play as best we can."
- How difficult is it to play a match that has to be completed the next day and consists of four unequal segments?
- What can you do? We play as best we can. There's nothing to add here - we have what we have.
- How do you prepare for a match when you don't know in advance how long it will last?
- We are professionals, so we must be prepared for everything. It is our duty to go out and play, regardless of the circumstances. Even if the match lasts two or three days - it's not easy, but we must do our job.
"We took a risk, but unfortunately, this risk did not pay off."
- Yesterday you stayed on the bench, and today you came out from the first minutes of the completion. What was the reason for this decision?
- We were losing 0:1, so we had to take risks. We took a risk, but unfortunately, this risk did not pay off.
- The team was losing. What task did you have to accomplish on the field?
- We had a situation where our goalkeeper Rybaka felt unwell in the dressing room - his temperature rose, so he had to be replaced. According to the plan, I had to act in a different position, but due to this force majeure, we had to rebuild and play with six. And my main task was to start attacks.
"After 0:2, it was harder for us to get back into the game."
- What can you say about the game itself? Does the score correspond to what was happening on the field yesterday and today?
- Yesterday was one game, more closed, and today was different. With a score of 0:1, we needed to press the opponent more, play more aggressively upfront, and look for our chances. We tried to do that, but today we couldn't make it.
- What was key in today's completion of the match?
- I think the key was that we quickly conceded the second goal. After the score of 0:2, it was harder for us to get back into the game.
"I am gradually getting in shape. I have health, I have motivation."
- After such a long break without official game practice, how do you assess your condition and readiness for Premier League matches?
- I feel more or less normal, gradually getting in shape. I played for the reserve team, then played in the Cup, and today I was on the field again. I have health, I have motivation, so I will help the team. And then we'll see.
